Basic Details
Word: Proverb
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A short, well-known saying that gives advice or states something most people believe is true.
Synonyms: saying, adage, maxim, motto
Word origin: From Latin proverbium, from pro, forth, and verbum, word.
How to Spell Proverb
Syllables: prov - erb
Tricky part: Its second half is the word verb. Because that part is said lightly, provurb and proverd are common.
Watch out for: provurb, proverd, provarb
Memory tip: A proverb is made of words, and verb is one of the parts of speech: pro + verb.
Usage Examples
Example 1: My grandmother always quotes the proverb 'Slow and steady wins the race.'
Example 2: Can you think of a proverb about saving money?
Example 3: The teacher wrote a proverb on the board and asked us to explain it in our own words.
Fun Fact
The Latin verbum, word, inside proverb is also the root of verb, verbal and verbatim, which means word for word.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the misspelt word in the sentence:
During the morning assembly the principal ended her short speech with a well-known provurb about the value of time and hard work.
a) speech
b) assembly
c) provurb
d) principal
Show answer
c) provurb. The second half of this word is spelt exactly like verb.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word proverb as used in the sentence:
'Look before you leap' is an old proverb that warns us to think before we act.
a) riddle
b) question
c) chapter
d) saying
Show answer
d) saying. A proverb is a short, wise saying; a riddle is a puzzle, not advice.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters in the sentence to form a meaningful word:
Every time I rushed my homework, my father repeated the same bverorp about haste.
a) proverb
b) prover
c) probe
d) provoke
Show answer
a) proverb. Provoke needs a k, and prover and probe are too short to use all seven letters.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is a proverb?
a) My shoes are too tight.
b) The bus leaves at nine.
c) Honesty is the best policy.
d) Please close the door.
Show answer
c) Honesty is the best policy.
2. Which proverb tells you to act while you have the chance?
a) Make hay while the sun shines.
b) All that glitters is not gold.
c) Too many cooks spoil the broth.
d) Every cloud has a silver lining.
Show answer
a) Make hay while the sun shines.
