proverb

1 of 3

noun (1)

prov·​erb ˈprä-ˌvərb How to pronounce proverb (audio)
1
: a brief popular epigram or maxim : adage
2

proverb

2 of 3

verb

proverbed; proverbing; proverbs

transitive verb

1
: to speak of proverbially
2
obsolete : to provide with a proverb

pro-verb

3 of 3

noun (2)

ˈprō-ˌvərb How to pronounce pro-verb (audio)
-ˈvərb
: a form of the verb do used to avoid repetition of a verb (such as do in "act as I do")

Examples of proverb in a Sentence

Noun (1) her grandfather has a proverb for every occasion
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
This brings up the proverb of wanting to have your cake and eat it too. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024 Each pair of shoes has a script with a Swahili proverb or saying. Erinne Magee, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Nov. 2024 And this proverb reminds me of hip-hop, and this proverb reminds me, in particular, of Tribe because Tribe was born out of friendship. Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 19 Oct. 2024 This old Iranian proverb does not actually warn people against travel to Gilan, Iran’s beautiful, green, and lush Caspian province, though today that meaning may be more apt. Djavad Salehi-Isfahani, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2020 See all Example Sentences for proverb 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English proverbe, from Anglo-French, from Latin proverbium, from pro- + verbum word — more at word

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of proverb was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near proverb

Cite this Entry

“Proverb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proverb. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

proverb

noun
prov·​erb
ˈpräv-ˌərb
: a brief popular saying expressing a wise thought

More from Merriam-Webster on proverb

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