Word
proverb
US/ˈpɹɑvɝb/
UK/pɹˈɒvɜːb/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a short, well-known saying that gives advice or tells you something about life. These sentences are usually passed down through history because they are easy to remember.
n. a short, pithy saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice. Often metaphorical in nature and rooted in folk wisdom.
Examples
“My grandmother always used a proverb to teach me a lesson.”
“The teacher explained the proverb 'actions speak louder than words' to help the students understand the importance of doing rather than just talking.”
“While many cultures share the same underlying moral values, each expresses them through a unique proverb that reflects its specific historical and agricultural heritage.”
Examples
simple
“My grandmother always used a proverb to teach me a lesson.”
contextual
“The teacher explained the proverb 'actions speak louder than words' to help the students understand the importance of doing rather than just talking.”
complex
“While many cultures share the same underlying moral values, each expresses them through a unique proverb that reflects its specific historical and agricultural heritage.”
Real-World Examples
“Business and proverbs are natural partners for several reasons, says Fred Shapiro, editor of The Yale Book of Quotations and co-editor, with Charles Clay Doyle and Wolfgang Mieder, of The Dictionary of Modern Proverbs.” Etymology
From Old French proverbe, from Latin proverbium.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/proverb