sivan: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
SpecialisedSpecialised / Religious
Quick answer
What does “sivan” mean?
The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar.
Primarily refers to the month in the Jewish calendar, occurring in late spring or early summer (usually May-June), during which the festival of Shavuot is celebrated.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; usage is identical in both UK and US English within Jewish communities.
Connotations
Religious observance, Jewish holidays (particularly Shavuot), biblical and historical references.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general English; frequency is higher within Jewish religious or cultural texts and conversations.
Grammar
How to Use “sivan” in a Sentence
[the month of] Sivanin SivanVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in theological, historical, or cultural studies related to Judaism.
Everyday
Used primarily by Jewish speakers discussing religious calendar dates or holidays.
Technical
Used in Jewish liturgical or calendrical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sivan”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sivan”
- Not capitalising the word.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a sivan').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, Sivan usually falls in May-June, but its exact Gregorian dates vary each year as the Hebrew calendar is lunisolar.
Shavuot, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
No, as it is a proper noun (the name of a month), it should always be capitalised.
No, it is a specialised term used almost exclusively within Jewish religious and cultural contexts.
The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar.
Sivan is usually specialised / religious in register.
Sivan: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsiːvən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsiːvɑːn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Sivan sounds like 'see one' – think 'See one festival (Shavuot) in this month.'
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A CYCLE (of religious observance).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'Sivan' primarily used?