How Do You Spell PROVERB?

Pronunciation: [pɹˈɒvɜːb] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "proverb" may seem straightforward, but it has a tricky element to it. The "o" in the first syllable is pronounced as "ɑ" like in "car", whereas the "o" in the second syllable is pronounced as "ə" like in "sofa". The stressed syllable is the first one, and it's pronounced as "prɑ-vərb." The word derives from the Latin "proverbum," meaning "something that has been spoken out." Proverbs are wise sayings passed down through generations.

PROVERB Meaning and Definition

  1. A proverb is a concise, popular saying or phrase that imparts traditional wisdom or advice. Often rooted in cultural or historical contexts, proverbs are distilled pieces of wisdom that embody universal truths, moral values, or practical guidance. They serve as crystallized nuggets of accumulated knowledge, acquired through experience or observation, and are passed down through generations as part of a society's language heritage. Proverbs can be found in various forms, such as similes, metaphors, analogies, or aphorisms.

    Typically consisting of memorable and concise sentences, proverbs are used to convey timeless principles in a succinct and memorable way. They encapsulate a wide range of human experiences, addressing common themes like love, friendship, success, failures, morality, and human nature. Moreover, proverbs can serve different purposes, functioning as sources of motivation, cautionary tales, or social commentary.

    Proverbs carry cultural significance, reflecting the values, beliefs, and practices of a specific community or society. They can offer insights into a particular group's history, customs, and worldview. Given their brevity, proverbs are easily relatable and can transcend linguistic and cultural boundaries, making them a powerful means of communication, even in diverse contexts.

    Overall, proverbs serve as succinct and memorable expressions of collective wisdom, offering readers or listeners invaluable life lessons or guiding principles drawn from the collective experiences of past generations.

  2. A short familiar sentence conveying some useful lesson of prudence or morality; a wise or pithy saying; a maxim; an adage; quaintly defined by Howell as "sense, shortness, and salt"; in Scrip., an enigmatical sentence or maxim.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for PROVERB

Etymology of PROVERB

The word proverb has its roots in the Latin word proverbium, which consists of two parts: pro meaning in front, forth, for and verbum meaning word. So, proverbium translates to words put forth or words publicly spoken.

Similar spelling words for PROVERB

Plural form of PROVERB is PROVERBS

Conjugate verb Proverb

CONDITIONAL

I would proverb
you would proverb
he/she/it would proverb
we would proverb
they would proverb

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be proverbing
you would be proverbing
he/she/it would be proverbing
we would be proverbing
they would be proverbing

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have proverb
you would have proverb
he/she/it would have proverb
we would have proverb
they would have proverb

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been proverbing
you would have been proverbing
he/she/it would have been proverbing
we would have been proverbing
they would have been proverbing

FUTURE

I will proverb
you will proverb
he/she/it will proverb
we will proverb
they will proverb

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be proverbing
you will be proverbing
he/she/it will be proverbing
we will be proverbing
they will be proverbing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have proverbed
you will have proverbed
he/she/it will have proverbed
we will have proverbed
they will have proverbed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been proverbing
you will have been proverbing
he/she/it will have been proverbing
we will have been proverbing
they will have been proverbing

IMPERATIVE

you proverb
we let´s proverb

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to proverb

PAST

I proverbed
you proverbed
he/she/it proverbed
we proverbed
they proverbed

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was proverbing
you were proverbing
he/she/it was proverbing
we were proverbing
they were proverbing

PAST PARTICIPLE

proverbed

PAST PERFECT

I had proverbed
you had proverbed
he/she/it had proverbed
we had proverbed
they had proverbed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been proverbing
you had been proverbing
he/she/it had been proverbing
we had been proverbing
they had been proverbing

PRESENT

I proverb
you proverb
he/she/it proverbs
we proverb
they proverb

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am proverbing
you are proverbing
he/she/it is proverbing
we are proverbing
they are proverbing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

proverbing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have proverbed
you have proverbed
he/she/it has proverbed
we have proverbed
they have proverbed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been proverbing
you have been proverbing
he/she/it has been proverbing
we have been proverbing
they have been proverbing

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