proverb

[ prov-erb ]

noun

1. a short popular saying, usually of unknown and ancient origin, that expresses effectively some commonplace truth or useful thought; adage; saw.

   Synonyms: apothegm, aphorism

2. a wise saying or precept; a didactic sentence.
3. a person or thing that is commonly regarded as an embodiment or representation of some quality; byword.
4. Bible. a profound saying, maxim, or oracular utterance requiring interpretation.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter in the form of a proverb.
2. to make (something) the subject of a proverb.
3. to make a byword of.

proverb

/ ˈprɒvɜːb /

noun

1. a short, memorable, and often highly condensed saying embodying, esp with bold imagery, some commonplace fact or experience
2. a person or thing exemplary in respect of a characteristic

   Antarctica is a proverb for extreme cold

3. ecclesiast a wise saying or admonition providing guidance

verb

1. to utter or describe (something) in the form of a proverb
2. to make (something) a proverb

proverb

1. A brief, memorable saying that expresses a truth or belief, such as “ A friend in need is a friend indeed .” ( See examples under “Proverbs.” )

Other Words From

• proverb·like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of proverb¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English proverbe, from Middle French, from Latin prōverbium “adage,” equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + verb(um) word + -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of proverb¹

C14: via Old French from Latin prōverbium, from verbum word

Synonym Study

Proverb, maxim are terms for short, pithy sayings. A proverb is such a saying popularly known and repeated, usually expressing simply and concretely, though often metaphorically, a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of humankind: “A stitch in time saves nine.” A maxim is a brief statement of a general and practical truth, especially one that serves as a rule of conduct or a precept: “It is wise to risk no more than one can afford to lose.”

Example Sentences

Beekeeping tradition runs so deep that in the Slovenian language, saying one’s “ax fell into the honey” is a proverb used to describe a sudden stroke of good luck.

From Popular-Science

These are not, contrary to what proverbs and conventional wisdom might suggest, rocks and stones, but living entities.

From Nautilus

I think of the proverbs we have around second times—second choice, second place, second fiddle, eternal second.

From Time

Look for efficient pathsAccording to an old proverb, “There are many paths to the top of the mountain, but the view is always the same.”

From Digiday

A consulting firm based in the United States paid its taxes there, while a factory based in Beijing would render unto China what is China’s, to modernize the old biblical proverb.

From Ozy

This work takes a page from President Ronald Reagan, who liked to repeat the Russian proverb “trust but verify.”

From The Daily Beast

In the case of Kudo-kai case boss Nomura, the appropriate Japanese proverb appears to be: “The mouth is the gate of misfortune.”

From The Daily Beast

The catch phrase, which Reagan borrowed from a Russian proverb, was “trust but verify.”

From The Daily Beast

The Latin proverb “Times Change and We Change With Them” used to be memorized by generations of students of Latin.

From The Daily Beast

The rich,” according to a Spanish proverb, “laugh carefully.

From The Daily Beast

The variety of taste in snuff is accounted for by the proverb, "So many men to so many noses."

From Project Gutenberg

M. Mon here quotes a Latin proverb:—'Qui plus castigat, plus amore ligat.'

From Project Gutenberg

Behold every one that useth a common proverb, shall use this against thee, saying: As the mother was, so also is her daughter.

From Project Gutenberg

There is an obvious allusion in this line to the common proverb—'As fain as fowl of a fair morrow,' which is quoted in the Kn.

From Project Gutenberg

This is only another form of a proverb which also occurs as 'Well fights he who well flies.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• adage
• aphorism
• axiom
• dictum
• epigram
• maxim
• witticism