Parable
/ˈpaɹəbəl/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA short narrative illustrating a lesson (usually religious/moral) by comparison or analogy.
verbTo represent by parable.
Sentence Examples
The parable of the talents is one of my favorites.
I'll explain by way of a parable.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The teacher read a ____, a short story with a moral lesson, to the class.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Jesus used the ____ of the prodigal son to illustrate the concept of forgiveness and redemption.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English parable, from Old French parable, parabole, from Late Latin parabola, from Ancient Greek παραβολή (parabolḗ, “comparison”). Doublet of parabola, parole, and palaver.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Which by the ancient sages was thus parabled."
— 1643, J[ohn] M[ilton], The Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce: […], London: […] T[homas] P[aine] and M[atthew] S[immons] […], →OCLC:
"well-wishers unto parable Physick"
— 1650, Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The teacher read a ____, a short story with a moral lesson, to the class.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Jesus used the ____ of the prodigal son to illustrate the concept of forgiveness and redemption.