Proverbs
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of Proverbs
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Old French proverbes, from Late Latin Prōverbia (Salomōnis, Solomōnis), translation of Hebrew mishlē (Shĕlōmōh) “Proverbs (of Solomon)”
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.
Proverbs 21:13 states, “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
Proverbs 31:8 reminds us to stand up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 18, 2026
The King James Bible is loaded with memorable analogies, and one of the most vivid is from Proverbs: “As a dog returneth to its vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly.”
From New York Times ● Aug. 17, 2023
He said the title of the book comes from Proverbs 16:18, which says “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
From Washington Times ● May 28, 2023
Like the writers of Proverbs the authors seem old; they are men of experience who have meditated on human affairs.
From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
