sirena: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal/Literary (mythological sense); Neutral/Technical (warning device sense).
Quick answer
What does “sirena” mean?
A mythical creature, typically depicted as a woman with the tail of a fish, known for luring sailors with enchanting singing.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A mythical creature, typically depicted as a woman with the tail of a fish, known for luring sailors with enchanting singing.
A dangerously seductive or alluring woman; a warning device that produces a loud, wailing sound (e.g., on an emergency vehicle).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The 'seductive woman' sense is more common in literary contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
The mythological sense carries classical, literary connotations. The warning device sense is purely functional and modern.
Frequency
The 'warning device' sense is far more frequent in everyday modern usage than the mythological sense.
Grammar
How to Use “sirena” in a Sentence
The [NOUN] siren [VERB: wailed, blared, sounded]Heed/Resist the siren [NOUN: call, song] of [NOUN PHRASE]She was a siren [PREP PHRASE: in disguise, of the silver screen]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sirena” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The factory sirened the end of the shift.
- The alarms will siren in the event of a breach.
American English
- The tornado warning sirened across the county.
- The system is programmed to siren automatically.
adjective
British English
- He ignored her siren charms.
- The report had a siren quality, demanding immediate attention.
American English
- She possessed a siren-like voice.
- The proposal made siren promises of wealth.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically: 'the siren call of easy profits'.
Academic
Appears in literature, mythology, and cultural studies.
Everyday
Almost exclusively refers to the loud warning device on vehicles.
Technical
Refers to specific acoustic warning devices in engineering and public safety contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sirena”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sirena”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sirena”
- Using 'siren' to mean a loud person (incorrect). Confusing 'siren' (creature/alarm) with 'mermaid' (generally benign creature).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. In original Greek myth, sirens were often depicted as bird-women, not fish-women. Over time, they became conflated with mermaids. Culturally, sirens are specifically associated with a dangerous, enchanting song, while mermaids are broader mythical sea creatures.
Rarely. Even when describing an alluring person ('a siren of the jazz age'), the term implies a dangerous or destructive attraction. The warning device sense is neutral but associated with danger.
They are virtually interchangeable metaphors. Both refer to an irresistible allurement that leads one into danger or trouble. 'Siren song' is slightly more common.
Yes, but it's less common and somewhat journalistic or technical. It means 'to sound a siren' or 'to make a sound like a siren' (e.g., 'The warnings sirened throughout the night').
A mythical creature, typically depicted as a woman with the tail of a fish, known for luring sailors with enchanting singing.
Sirena is usually formal/literary (mythological sense); neutral/technical (warning device sense). in register.
Sirena: in British English it is pronounced /saɪˈriː.nə/, and in American English it is pronounced /saɪˈriː.nə/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “siren song/call (an alluring but dangerous appeal)”
- “like a siren's call (irresistibly tempting)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a police car's SIREN wailing as it drives past a cinema poster for a film called 'Siren of the Sea'.
Conceptual Metaphor
ATTRACTION IS A SONG; DANGER IS A SOUNDING ALARM.
Practice
Quiz
In a modern urban context, 'siren' most commonly refers to: