saying

saying — noun

1. a short expression that has been used for a long time by many people to share wi

1.nounC1
Definition

a short expression that has been used for a long time by many people to share wisdom, give advice, or describe common experiences in a memorable way

Example

As the old saying goes, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."

as the old saying goes — common introductory frame

Wei's grandmother often repeated a Chinese saying about patience and bamboo.

Common collocations
  • old saying
  • well-known saying
  • Chinese saying
  • local saying
  • traditional saying
  • famous saying
  • ancient saying
  • as the saying goes
Synonyms
  • proverb

    the closest synonym; a traditional short saying that gives advice, often from folk tradition

  • adage

    similar to proverb but slightly more formal; emphasizes long-established truth

  • maxim

    a short statement expressing a general rule of conduct or principle, often from a known source

Usage Note

Commonly introduced with the phrase 'as the saying goes' before quoting the saying. Often modified by an adjective showing origin or age, such as 'old,' 'well-known,' or a nationality like 'Chinese.'

Common Mistakes

Have a nice day' is a common saying.
Have a nice day' is a common polite expression, but it is not a saying.
A saying must contain wisdom or advice, not just be a formulaic greeting.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

"Proverb" is the closest everyday synonym for "saying" — both refer to short, traditional expressions of wisdom. However, "proverb" more specifically suggests folk origin and is often anonymous, whereas "saying" is a broader term that can include modern or culturally specific expressions. "Adage" carries a more formal, elevated tone and emphasizes that a truth has been accepted for a very long time (e.g., "the old adage that time heals all wounds"). "Maxim" differs from the others by focusing on a practical rule of conduct rather than observed wisdom, and it is often attributed to a specific philosopher or writer (e.g., "the maxim 'honesty is the best policy'"). In everyday use, "proverb" and "saying" are largely interchangeable, but choosing "adage" signals a more literary register, while "maxim" points toward a guiding principle rather than folk wisdom.

proverb ↗adagemaxim ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • as the saying goes
  • as the old saying goes
  • there is a saying that

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The noun 'saying' developed from the verb 'say' (Old English 'secgan,' meaning 'to speak, utter, tell') by adding the '-ing' suffix, which turns a verb action into a noun referring to the thing produced by that action. By the 13th century, 'saying' was used for 'something said, a statement,' and by the late 1300s it had taken on its modern meaning of a traditional, proverbial expression.