Siesta: meaning, definitions and examples

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siesta

[ siˈɛstə ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

afternoon rest

A siesta is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. It is a common practice in some countries with hot climates to avoid the hottest part of the day. The siesta tradition is believed to have originated in Spain and is still observed in many Spanish-speaking countries.

Synonyms

break, nap, rest.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
siesta	Commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries to refer to an afternoon nap, typically taken after lunch. It denotes a cultural practice rather than just a short sleep. After lunch, many people in Spain take a siesta to recharge. During our trip to Spain, we learned to follow the local tradition and enjoyed a daily siesta.
nap	A short sleep, usually taken during the day, lasting from a few minutes to a couple of hours. It can be used in both casual and more formal contexts. I usually take a nap in the afternoon to stay fresh in the evening. The toddler fell asleep and had a long nap after playing in the park.
rest	A period of relaxation or repose, which may include sleep but can also mean simply lying down or taking it easy. It's more generic and can be used in various contexts. After the long hike, they decided to rest for a while. He needs to rest after his surgery to recover fully.
break	A general term for a short period of rest or relaxation taken from work or other activities. It is not necessarily associated with sleep. Let's take a five-minute break before continuing with the meeting. She decided to take a break from writing her essay to clear her mind.

Examples of usage

I like to take a siesta after lunch to feel refreshed for the rest of the day.
In Spain, the shops close during siesta time to allow people to rest.

Translations

Translations of the word "siesta" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sesta

🇮🇳 दोपहर की झपकी

🇩🇪 Mittagsschlaf

🇮🇩 tidur siang

🇺🇦 сієста

🇵🇱 siesta

🇯🇵 シエスタ

🇫🇷 sieste

🇪🇸 siesta

🇹🇷 öğle uykusu

🇰🇷 낮잠

🇸🇦 قيلولة

🇨🇿 siesta

🇸🇰 siesta

🇨🇳 午睡

🇸🇮 siesta

🇮🇸 siesta

🇰🇿 түскі ұйқы

🇬🇪 სიესტა

🇦🇿 günorta yuxusu

🇲🇽 siesta

Etymology

The word 'siesta' comes from the Latin word 'sexta', which means the sixth hour after dawn. The concept of a siesta has been around for centuries and is deeply rooted in Mediterranean and Latin American cultures. It was traditionally a way to escape the heat of the day and recharge energy levels. While the siesta may not be as common in modern times, it still holds a special place in the cultural heritage of many countries.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,695, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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28692 scruffy
28693 uppercase
28694 landfall
28695 siesta
28696 crimped
28697 meandered
28698 fallibility
...