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

“When you don’t speak out, the old adage that silence is deafening is absolutely true. You end up losing the public and you end up putting your own people at risk,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The old adage among general managers is that there is no such thing as a bad one-year contract.

From The Wall Street Journal

Markets tend to “climb a wall of worry,” as the adage goes, as worst-case scenarios don’t pan out and things get incrementally better.

From Barron's

As the old adage goes, too much of a good thing can be bad, which applies to fiber intake too.

From Salon

The takeaway for investors across all sectors: The adage that “cash flow never lies” isn’t true.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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