What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Motto vs Proverb - What's the difference?

motto | proverb |

As nouns the difference between motto and proverb

is that motto is a sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement while proverb is a phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations.

As a verb proverb is

to write or utter proverbs.

motto

English

(Webster 1913)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (heraldry) A sentence, phrase, or word, forming part of an heraldic achievement.
  • A sentence, phrase, or word, prefixed to an essay, discourse, chapter, canto, or the like, suggestive of its subject matter; a short, suggestive expression of a guiding principle; a maxim.
  • * (Joseph Addison) (1672-1719)
    • It was the motto of a bishop eminent for his piety and good works, ... Serve God, and be cheerful.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)
    • , chapter=1 citation , passage=“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes like
      Here's rattling good luck and roaring good cheer, / With lashings of food and great hogsheads of beer. […]”}}

    Synonyms

    * See also

    proverb

    English

    (wikipedia proverb)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A phrase expressing a basic truth which may be applied to common situations.
  • A striking or paradoxical assertion; an obscure saying; an enigma; a parable.
  • * Bible, John xvi. 29
    • His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb .
  • A familiar illustration; a subject of contemptuous reference.
  • * Bible, Deuteronomy xxviii. 37
    • Thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb , and a by word, among all nations.
  • A drama exemplifying a proverb.

    • Synonyms

    * (phrase expressing a basic truth) adage, apothegm, byword, maxim, paroemia, saw, saying, sententia * See also

    Derived terms

    * proverbial * proverbiology * proverbs hunt in pairs

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To write or utter proverbs.
  • To name in, or as, a proverb.
  • * 1671 , John Milton, Samson Agonistes , lines 203-205:
    • Am I not sung and proverbed for a fool / In every street, do they not say, "How well / Are come upon him his deserts?"
  • To provide with a proverb.
  • * Shakespeare
    • I am proverbed with a grandsire phrase.
    (Webster 1913)

    See also

    * ----