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
Noun
Her sentiment is basically a Black proverb across the globe; and Fraser-Pryce embodies it fully. Essence, 8 Feb. 2024 Nothing ventured, nothing gained, goes the old proverb. Thai Son Nguyen, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024 There is an old proverb that man plans, God laughs. Desmond Lachman, National Review, 12 Jan. 2024 This is a proverb from Gatwa’s country of birth, Rwanda. Cameron K McEwan, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 Dec. 2023 In the words of an African proverb: no matter how long the winter, spring is sure to follow. Ilona Limonta-Volkova, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 Ripken became a first-ballot Hall of Famer with 98.5% of the vote, so maybe there’s something to a proverb with a murky origin and puzzling imagery. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2023 But the phrase is also a Jamaican proverb — Young-White was raised by Jamaican parents in Harvey, Ill. — about learning from consequences after not heeding warnings. Stephen Daw, Billboard, 22 Aug. 2023 The evaluator may test a person's sense of right and wrong by asking them to explain the meaning of a proverb. Jessica Wapner, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proverb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 19 Mar. 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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