English · Proverb Attested

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.

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