noun B1 Intermediate Uncommon

proverb

PRO-vurb

Proverb (noun) means a short, well-known saying that expresses a piece of common wisdom or advice. Example: “A stitch in time saves nine" is an old English proverb.”

noun

A short, well-known saying that expresses a piece of common wisdom or advice.

""A stitch in time saves nine" is an old English proverb."

"Every culture has its own proverbs about patience."

How to use proverb

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA short traditional saying that gives advice or states a general truth, like "look before you leap."

Common pairings

an old proverb as the proverb goes

Word forms

proverbed past tense, proverbs plural, proverbs singular

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"A stitch in time saves nine" is an old English _____.

Etymology

From Old French proverbe, from Latin proverbium.

Origin: Latin

Frequently asked questions

What does “proverb” mean?

The word “proverb” means a short, well-known saying that expresses a piece of common wisdom or advice. In plain terms, a short traditional saying that gives advice or states a general truth, like "look before you leap.".

How do you pronounce “proverb”?

“Proverb” is pronounced PRO-vurb (/ˈpɹɑˌvɝb/ in IPA).

How do you use “proverb” in a sentence?

Here is “proverb” used in a sentence: “"A stitch in time saves nine" is an old English proverb.”

What part of speech is “proverb”?

“Proverb” is a noun.

Where does the word “proverb” come from?

The word “proverb” comes from Latin. From Old French proverbe, from Latin proverbium.

Is “proverb” a common word?

“Proverb” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

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