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parable

American  
[par-uh-buhl] / ˈpær ə bəl /

noun

  1. a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.

    Synonyms:
    apologue, homily, allegory

  2. a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.

parable British  
/ ˈpærəbəl, pəˈræbəlɪst /

noun

  1. a short story that uses familiar events to illustrate a religious or ethical point

  2. any of the stories of this kind told by Jesus Christ

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • parabolist noun

Etymology

Origin of parable

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English parabil, from Late Latin parabola “allegory, comparison, word,” from Greek parabolḗ “comparison,” from para- para- 1 + bolḗ “a throw”

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The same could just as unnervingly be said about “The Crucible,” Miller’s parable about the McCarthy witch hunts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Mahapatra compares humanity's limited understanding of the universe -- or lack thereof -- to a well-known parable.

From Science Daily • Jan. 8, 2026

Dr. Seuss’ holiday parable “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” has been a seasonal favorite since it was published in 1957, ranking among the most popular and profitable of the author’s iconic rhyming picture books.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 25, 2025

View that as a parable if you wish, or simply enjoy the adrenaline rush.

From Salon • Dec. 19, 2025

It is a fast food parable about how the industry started and where it can lead.

From "Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal" by Eric Schlosser

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.