parable

[par-uh-buhl]

noun

1. a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson.

   Synonyms: apologue, homily, allegory

2. a statement or comment that conveys a meaning indirectly by the use of comparison, analogy, or the like.

parable

/ ˈpærəbəl, pəˈræbəlɪst /

noun

1. a short story that uses familiar events to illustrate a religious or ethical point

2. any of the stories of this kind told by Jesus Christ

Other Word Forms

• parabolist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of parable¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English parabil, from Late Latin parabola “allegory, comparison, word,” from Greek parabolḗ “comparison,” from para- para- ¹ + bolḗ “a throw”

Word History and Origins

Origin of parable¹

C14: from Old French parabole, from Latin parabola comparison, from Greek parabolē analogy, from paraballein to throw alongside, from _para- ¹ + ballein to throw

Example Sentences

“We realized that Ben really embodies the parable” about each person having two wolves inside them — a light wolf and a dark wolf.

From Los Angeles Times

The original script had the prequel opening with a “Once upon a time ...” parable about Wendy and the Lost Boys.

From Los Angeles Times

Graham Pyman, director of ChristCentral Churches, who had worked with Mr Marriott for more than a decade, compared his actions to the biblical parable of the Good Samaritan, who helped an injured stranger.

From BBC

But since Hwang intends “Squid Game” to be a grand parable about late-stage capitalism, then each of its players must evoke some element of society, right?

From Salon

As it draws to a close, Hwang’s lethal playground games are cautionary parables about tribalism driven by greed.

From Salon

Related Words

• fable 
• tale