noun
slava
SLAH-vuh
Slava (noun) means a family feast day held in honor of a household's patron saint, a tradition kept mainly by Serbian families and also observed by some of their Balkan neighbors. Example: “Every January the family gathers to celebrate their slava with a special bread and a candle for the saint.”
noun
1
A family feast day held in honor of a household's patron saint, a tradition kept mainly by Serbian families and also observed by some of their Balkan neighbors.
"Every January the family gathers to celebrate their slava with a special bread and a candle for the saint."
"She had never heard of a slava until her Serbian in-laws invited her to one."
name
1
An informal, affectionate short form of the Russian or Ukrainian given name Slava (from Vyacheslav or Yaroslav).
How to use slava
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA saint's-day family celebration in Serbian tradition, or a Slavic nickname.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like slava.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- slavas
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Every January the family gathers to celebrate their _____ with a special bread and a candle for the saint.
Etymology
From the South Slavic word slava, meaning "fame" or "glory" — the same root used in Slavic toasts and blessings wishing someone honor.
Rhymes for slava
See all rhymes for slava →Frequently asked questions
What does “slava” mean?
The word “slava” means a family feast day held in honor of a household's patron saint, a tradition kept mainly by Serbian families and also observed by some of their Balkan neighbors. In plain terms, a saint's-day family celebration in Serbian tradition, or a Slavic nickname.
How do you pronounce “slava”?
“Slava” is pronounced SLAH-vuh (/ˈslɑːvə/ in IPA).
How do you use “slava” in a sentence?
Here is “slava” used in a sentence: “Every January the family gathers to celebrate their slava with a special bread and a candle for the saint.”
What part of speech is “slava”?
Depending on how it is used, “slava” can be a noun and a name.
How many meanings does “slava” have?
“Slava” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a family feast day held in honor of a household's patron saint, a tradition kept mainly by Serbian families and also observed by some of their Balkan neighbors.
