it takes a village

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

Ellipsis of it takes a village to raise a child.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Remember it takes a village, if you feel overwhelmed ask for help, ask questions, the nurses are here to provide education, support and help you.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “it takes a village” mean?

Ellipsis of it takes a village to raise a child.

Is “it takes a village” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.