byword
1
7.6
- noun
- /ˈbaɪˌwɜrd/
:
dicho
- Flexibility is the byword when public hospitals talk about going private.
- Flexibility is the byword
Examples
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We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and byword down to future ages.
Blog text (6) -
"Yes We Can" has to become his byword.
Blog text (20) -
He made Chicago a byword for the collapse of American civilization.
Blog text (19) -
Generally, the entire class participates in the same civic project, but flexibility remains the byword.
Academic text (1993) -
In times of crisis, cooperation should be a byword for all countries working together.
-
Honesty is the byword in our organization, guiding all our decisions and actions.
-
In her speech, she declared that sustainability would be the byword for future generations.
Synonyms
201
1.7
A short well-known phrase that gives advice or a general truth
37
3.9
A short well-known saying that gives advice or a general truth
32
4.2
A well-known short saying that gives advice or shows a general truth
9
7.4
A short, clever saying that shows a general truth
5
6.4
A short memorable saying that gives common advice
How Memorable
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Byword comes from old English parts by- meaning 'near' or 'beside' and word, so it originally meant a short saying that 'stands beside' an idea, like a little proverb. That's why a byword is a well-known, easy-to-remember saying that sums up a truth.