proverb

1 of 3

noun (1)

prov·​erb ˈprä-ˌvərb 

1

: a brief popular epigram or maxim : adage

2

: byword sense 4

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 

-ˈvərb

: a form of the verb do used to avoid repetition of a verb (such as do in "act as I do")

Did you know?

Proverbs probably appeared with the dawn of language. Sayings such as "A stitch in time saves nine", or "Pride goeth before a fall", or "Least said, soonest mended", or "To everything there is a season" are easily memorized nuggets of wisdom. But the convenient thing about proverbs is that there's often one for every point of view. For every "Look before you leap" there's a "He who hesitates is lost". "A fool and his money are soon parted" can be countered with "To make money you have to spend money". A cynic once observed, "Proverbs are invaluable treasures to dunces with good memories".

Synonyms of proverb

Noun (1)

• saying
• word
• maxim
• adage
• aphorism
• motto

Examples of proverb in a Sentence

Noun (1)

her grandfather has a proverb for every occasion

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

What does the phrase squeaky bum time, the racehorse Devon Loch, and the Portuguese proverb ‘morrer na prais’ all have in common? —Ian Irving, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026

The rooms The old Japanese proverb ‘*kachou fuugetsu’—*which translates as ‘flower, bird, wind, moon’ evoking a sense of the transient beauty of nature—is a key concept at the hotel. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Feb. 2026

But perhaps the night’s theme was best summed up by a proverb, not from Italy, but Coventry’s native continent. —Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 7 Feb. 2026

And there’s a proverb, this idea of the secret of getting old. —Renée Onque, CNBC, 26 Nov. 2025

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

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

1907, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

proverb

noun

prov·​erb

ˈpräv-ˌərb

: a brief popular saying expressing a wise thought