Proverbs

noun

Prov·​erbs ˈprä-ˌvərbz How to pronounce Proverbs (audio)
plural in form but singular in construction
: a collection of moral sayings and counsels forming a book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see Bible Table

Examples of Proverbs in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the Book of Proverbs says, without wood, there is no fire. Arlie Russell Hochschild, TIME, 12 Sep. 2024 From Sabri, who made check-in feel like catching up with an old friend, to the beach attendants who noticed my African Proverbs hat and shared an African proverb with me. Devine Blacksher, Essence, 9 Sep. 2024 The evangelical politician also captioned the photos with a bible verse from the Book of Proverbs. Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 22 Jan. 2024 The Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31, sets out some fundamentals, including rising in the dark, fearing the Lord, having strong arms, and working with flax. Sophie Elmhirst, The New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2024 That was a reference to Proverbs 17:17, Woods said. Judy L. Thomas, Kansas City Star, 20 Feb. 2024 Quoting the Bible Scott's wedding announcement on social media included a Bible verse - Proverbs 18:22 - and pictures of him and Noce on the beach near Charleston, S.C. Scott's bachelor status became a subject of interest during his presidential campaign. David Jackson, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2024 Rescue dogs are still important to the pair, who volunteer and foster through the Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue in Tennessee. Emily Krauser, Peoplemag, 19 Dec. 2023 Kanye loves the Books of Poetry of the Bible: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. Kate Hogan, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Proverbs was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near Proverbs

Cite this Entry

“Proverbs.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Proverbs. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

Proverbs

noun
Prov·​erbs ˈpräv-ˌərbz How to pronounce Proverbs (audio)
: a collection of moral sayings and counsels forming a book of canonical Jewish and Christian Scripture see bible table

More from Merriam-Webster on Proverbs

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!