Definition

Noun: 1. A short, traditional, and memorable saying that expresses a common truth or piece of advice based on practical experience or cultural wisdom. It is a concise piece of folk wisdom, often metaphorical, that is widely accepted as true. 2. (Capitalized, plural: Proverbs) A book of the Old Testament in the Bible, consisting of a collection of moral and philosophical maxims.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (General Sense):
  • "The proverb 'A stitch in time saves nine' teaches the value of timely action."
  • Many cultures have a proverb about the dangers of procrastination.
  • She quoted an old proverb to illustrate her point about patience.
• Noun (Biblical Book):
  • "The wisdom found in the Book of Proverbs is applicable to daily life."
  • He gave a sermon based on a passage from Proverbs.

Advanced Usage

• "to a proverb": This phrase is used to emphasize that a quality in a person or thing is so extreme it has become proverbial or famously typical.
  • His generosity is known to a proverb.
  • She is punctual to a proverb.

Variants and Related Words

• Proverbial (adjective): Of, relating to, or resembling a proverb; widely referred to or spoken of.
  • He faced the proverbial "rock and a hard place."
  • Her kindness is proverbial in our town.

Synonyms

• Adage: A proverb or short statement expressing a general truth.
• Maxim: A concise rule of conduct or a general truth.
• Aphorism: A pithy observation that contains a general truth.
• Saw: An old saying or proverb (somewhat old-fashioned).
• Byword: A person or thing cited as a notable example of a quality, often becoming proverbial.

Related Phrases

• As the proverb goes/says: A phrase used to introduce a well-known saying.
  • As the proverb says, 'All that glitters is not gold.'

Related Idioms

• To be a proverb for something: To be a famous or notorious example of a particular quality.
  • The city became a proverb for corruption.
  • His stubbornness is a proverb.

Noun

1. a condensed but memorable saying embodying some important fact of experience that is taken as true by many people