when in Rome
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Also seen as: when in Rome, do as the Romans · when in Rome, do like the Romans do
Meaning · English
One should adjust to local customs.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “when in Rome” mean?
One should adjust to local customs.
Is “when in Rome” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.