saying
/ˈseɪ.ɪŋ/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: sayings
Meaning · English
A proverb or maxim.
Noun
Examples
There is a Chinese saying: "One who does not know how to smile has no business to be in business." How much truer is this of people engaged in the business of diplomacy!
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “saying” mean?
A proverb or maxim.
Is “saying” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.