byword

Meaning

1. A proverb or proverbial expression, common saying; a frequently used word or phrase.
2. A characteristic word or expression; a word or phrase associated with a person or group.
3. Someone or something that stands as an example (i.e. metonymically) for something else, by having some of that something's characteristic traits.
4. An object of notoriety or contempt, scorn or derision.
5. A nickname or epithet.

Synonyms

proverb

saying

saw

🪚

adage

motto

dictum

laughingstock

notorious

oration

slogan

sobriquet

soubriquet

standing joke

watchword

well-known person

humorous saying

axiom

catchword

cognomen

flagrant

maxim

nickname

Translations

proverbe

provérbio

proverbio

proverbio

spreekwoord

dicho

dicton

Sprichwort

refrán

atasözü

adágio

spotnaam

Schlagwort

darbımesel

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbaɪ.wə(ɹ)d/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: byword

Cognate with Latin: proverbium

Cognate with Old High German: pīwurti

Cognate with Old English: bīspel

Cognate with Dutch: bijwoord

In summary

From Middle English byword, byworde (“proverb”), from Old English bīword, bīwyrd, bīwyrde (“proverb, household word", also "adverb”), from Proto-West Germanic *bīwurdī, equivalent to by- + word. Compare Latin proverbium, which byword may possibly be a translation of. Cognate with Old High German pīwurti (“proverb”). Compare also Old English bīspel (“proverb, example”), bīcwide (“byword, proverb, tale, fable”), Dutch bijwoord (“adverb”).