Proverbs

noun

Prov·​erbs ˈprä-ˌvərbz How to pronounce Proverbs (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
: a collection of moral sayings and counsels forming a book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see Bible Table

Examples of Proverbs in a Sentence

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.
There is the beautiful proverb about the woman of strength (Proverbs 31:10-31), that is perhaps the most eloquent text on women in the Bible. Arkansas Online, 9 May 2025 Other critics have pointed out that her media company, Proverbs 31 Ministry, accepted $690,000 in Paycheck Protection Program loans following the pandemic, despite her lucrative income; her speaker fees alone reportedly range from $20,000 to $30,000. Aja Romano, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 One Eagles assistant coach alluded to Proverbs 27:7 on Monday, furthering illustrating Wade's point. Paul Skrbina, The Tennessean, 27 Nov. 2024 As the Book of Proverbs says, without wood, there is no fire. Arlie Russell Hochschild, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024 From Sabri, who made check-in feel like catching up with an old friend, to the beach attendants who noticed my African Proverbs hat and shared an African proverb with me. Devine Blacksher, Essence, 9 Sep. 2024 The evangelical politician also captioned the photos with a bible verse from the Book of Proverbs. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2024 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31, sets out some fundamentals, including rising in the dark, fearing the Lord, having strong arms, and working with flax. Sophie Elmhirst, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024 That was a reference to Proverbs 17:17, Woods said. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Cite this Entry

“Proverbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Proverbs. Accessed 21 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

Proverbs

noun
Prov·​erbs ˈpräv-ˌərbz How to pronounce Proverbs (audio)
: a collection of moral sayings and counsels forming a book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see bible table

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