adage

American  

[ad-ij] / ˈæd ɪdʒ /

noun

1. a traditional saying expressing a common experience or observation; proverb.

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adage British  

/ ˈædɪdʒ /

noun

1. a traditional saying that is accepted by many as true or partially true; proverb

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Other Word Forms

• adagial adjective

Etymology

Origin of adage

1540–50; < French < Latin adagium, equivalent to ad- ad- + ag- (stem of āio I say) + -ium -ium

Example Sentences

There’s an adage that investing, or building wealth, is simple, but not easy.

From MarketWatch

Longtime investors are familiar with the adage that they shouldn’t own anything they don’t understand.

From The Wall Street Journal

He said "the old adage of asset rich and cash poor absolutely applies to farming" as land, stock and farming kit is extremely valuable.

From BBC

Why shares drop on seemingly good news is often explained by the adage “buy the rumor, sell the news.”

From Barron's

This fine actress, playing a hard-living but good woman, proves Stanislavski’s adage that there are no small parts, only small actors.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• aphorism
• axiom
• dictum
• maxim
• motto
• precept