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siesta

/siˈɛstə/
/siˈɛstə/
IPA guide

Other forms: siestas

You can make your afternoon nap sound a little more exotic if you call it a siesta. In some countries, it's common for people to take a siesta after lunch.

In warm parts of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, the siesta is an important part of the culture. It's especially ingrained in Spain—and in Italy, where it's called a riposo. The Spanish word siesta, "mid-day nap," comes from the Latin phrase sexta hora, "sixth hour," or noon. The prevalence of siestas in certain countries is probably connected to hot weather and traditions of large mid-day meals.

Definitions of siesta
  1. noun
    a nap in the early afternoon (especially in hot countries)
    see moresee less
    type of:
    cat sleep, catnap, forty winks, nap, short sleep, snooze
    sleeping for a short period of time (usually not in bed)
Pronunciation
US
/siˈɛstə/
UK
/siˈɛstə/
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