sholom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, religious, or cultural
Quick answer
What does “sholom” mean?
A Hebrew word meaning peace, used as a greeting or farewell.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A Hebrew word meaning peace, used as a greeting or farewell.
Signifies a state of completeness, harmony, and well-being; often employed in Jewish and interfaith contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Associated with peace, Jewish culture, and religious greetings.
Frequency
Rare in general English; slightly more common in American English due to larger Jewish population.
Grammar
How to Use “sholom” in a Sentence
Used as a greeting: 'Sholom!'As a noun: 'the sholom of the community'Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used; irrelevant in most business contexts.
Academic
Found in religious studies, theology, or cultural anthropology.
Everyday
Used within Jewish communities or in interfaith settings; not common in general conversation.
Technical
No technical usage.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sholom”
- Misspelling as 'shalom'
- Using it as a verb or adjective in standard English.
- Overusing in non-Jewish contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Sholom is a borrowed word from Hebrew, used in English primarily in cultural or religious contexts.
It is pronounced /ʃəˈlɒm/ in British English and /ʃəˈlɑːm/ in American English.
No, in standard English, sholom is not used as a verb; it is primarily a noun or interjection.
Sholom is an alternative spelling of shalom; both refer to the same concept of peace.
A Hebrew word meaning peace, used as a greeting or farewell.
Sholom is usually formal, religious, or cultural in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Sholom aleichem”
- “Sholom bayit”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'sho' as in 'show' and 'lom' as in 'calm' – showing calm leads to peace.
Conceptual Metaphor
Peace as a salutation and a state of wholeness.
Practice
Quiz
What is 'sholom' most commonly associated with?