shloshim: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal / Technical (within Jewish contexts); Rare / Uncommon (general English)
Quick answer
What does “shloshim” mean?
A thirty-day period of mourning in Jewish tradition following the death of a close relative.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A thirty-day period of mourning in Jewish tradition following the death of a close relative.
In modern usage, can refer more broadly to the mourning period itself, its associated rituals, or the gathering marking the end of this period.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical and confined to contexts discussing Jewish customs. The spelling is standardised from the Hebrew.
Connotations
Carries strong religious, cultural, and sombre connotations. No difference in connotation between UK and US.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Slightly higher frequency in North American texts due to larger Jewish population, but remains a specialised term.
Grammar
How to Use “shloshim” in a Sentence
[Subject] observes shloshim for [Deceased].The family is in/within shloshim.[Event] marks the end of shloshim.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, anthropology, or cultural studies discussing Jewish rites.
Everyday
Used only within Jewish communities or when explaining customs to outsiders.
Technical
Specific term in Jewish law (Halakha) and pastoral care.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shloshim”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “shloshim”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shloshim”
- Using it as a general word for 'month' or 'thirty days'.
- Misspelling as 'shlosheem', 'shloshin', or 'sloshim'.
- Pronouncing the 'o' as in 'shot' (/ɒ/) rather than the more accurate Hebrew-derived /oʊ/ or /ɒ/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised term used almost exclusively within Jewish religious and cultural contexts or academic discussions thereof.
Shiva is the first, most intense seven days of mourning immediately after burial. Shloshim is the following twenty-three days, making a total of thirty days, during which mourning practices are less restrictive but still observed.
Rarely. The term is typically used in the singular to refer to the period itself. One might refer to multiple instances as 'shloshim periods'.
There is no single-word equivalent. It is best explained as 'the thirty-day Jewish mourning period'.
A thirty-day period of mourning in Jewish tradition following the death of a close relative.
Shloshim is usually formal / technical (within jewish contexts); rare / uncommon (general english) in register.
Shloshim: in British English it is pronounced /ʃlɒˈʃiːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃloʊˈʃim/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'SHLO' + 'SHIM' sounds like 'slow shimmy' – a slow, solemn (mourning) movement lasting 30 days.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CONTAINER FOR RITUAL (e.g., 'within shloshim', 'through shloshim').
Practice
Quiz
What does 'shloshim' specifically refer to?