adage

noun

ad·​age ˈa-dij How to pronounce adage (audio)
: a saying often in metaphorical form that typically embodies a common observation
She reminded him of the adage: "A penny saved is a penny earned."

Examples of adage in a Sentence

that old adage, “the early bird gets the worm”
Recent Examples on the Web Ken Fulk designer The old adage says to avoid discussing politics or religion at a party, but politics are so all-consuming right now. George Gurley, New York Times, 21 June 2024 This is where the connection is made between team and city, beyond the evergreen adage of L.A. as a place where dreamers come to reinvent themselves and shoot for the stars. Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2024 Adinkra symbols illustrating Ghanaian proverbs and adages. Korsha Wilson, Saveur, 12 June 2024 An adage at the Capitol says that no bill is actually dead until the Legislature adjourns for the year. Richard Ruelas, The Arizona Republic, 31 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for adage 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'adage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French, borrowed from Latin adagiō, adagium, from ad- ad- + ag-, base of aiō, āiō "(I) say" (going back to *ag-i̯ō, going back to an Indo-European verb stem *h2eǵ-i̯e- "say") + -ium, deverbal noun suffix; akin to Greek ê "(s/he) spoke," án-ōga "(I) command," Armenian asem "(I) say," Tocharian B āks- "announce, proclaim"

Note: The Latin form is possibly adāgiō; the lack of vowel reduction in the second syllable is otherwise unexplained. Michiel de Vaan, Etymological Dictionary of Latin (Brill, 2008), believes that the base is not aiō, but rather adigō, "I drive/thrust/plunge into, force, impel." Semantically, this is not compelling, and does not in any case solve the problem of the second syllable. On the other hand, the lack of attestation for aiō with any prefixes aside from this noun is striking.

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of adage was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near adage

Cite this Entry

“Adage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adage. Accessed 7 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

adage

noun
ad·​age ˈad-ij How to pronounce adage (audio)
: an old familiar saying : proverb

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