proverb

CEFRB2

/ˈpɹɒvɜːb/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A short traditional saying that expresses a general truth or advice.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable.

Examples

  • "A rolling stone gathers no moss" is a proverb.

  • The old proverb still holds good in our modern society.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. Any commonly used turn of phrase expressing a metaphor, simile, or descriptive epithet.

  2. A commonly used sentence expressing popular wisdom.

  3. A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference.

More examples

In context

  • Near-synonyms: aphorism, maxim, adage, saw, saying, apothegm, byword, paroemia, sententia (Latin)

  • As a Yiddish proverb has it: Badarf men hunik ven tsuker iz zis? Who needs honey when sugar is sweet?

  • I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The teacher explained the ancient blank that says 'actions speak louder than words'.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Old French proverbe, from Latin proverbium.