Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

rome wasn't built in a day

/ˈɹoʊm ˌwʌzənt ˈbɪlt‿ɪn‿ə ˈdeɪ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.30 in modern English

Syllables: Rome was-n’t built in a day
IPA: /ˈɹoʊm ˌwʌzənt ˈbɪlt‿ɪn‿ə ˈdeɪ/

31

Scrabble Score

20

Letters

2

Syllables

15

Unique Chars

Meaning

proverb

It takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive.

Example Sentences

"I know this project is a big undertaking, but you need to have patience and be hopeful. Remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day."
"[O]ne daye or lytle tyme is not ynoughe for the acheuinge of a great matter. Which is al one with this in engliſhe: Rome was not buylt in one day."
"Rome was not built in one day (quoth he), and yet stood / Till it was finisht, as some say, full fayre."
"The Reformation you haue made of the many and maine corruptions of the Romiſh Ch[urch] vve do ingenuouſly acknovvledge, and doe vvithall imbrace vvith you all the truths vvhich to our knovvledge you haue receiued in ſtead of them. But Rome vvas not built all in a day."
"[…] Rome''' vvas not built in a day, nor is a Reformation in the true Lavv-ſenſe effectable preſently; […]"
"[Y]ou muſt lay your account vvith mounting by gradual ſteps to the ſummit of your fortune.—Rome vvas not built in a day,— […]"

Etymology

Probably a calque of Middle French Rome ne fut pas faite toute en un jour (literally “Rome was not made all in one day”); compare modern French Rome ne s'est pas faite en un jour.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈɹoʊm ˌwʌzənt ˈbɪlt‿ɪn‿ə ˈdeɪ/
British English: /ˈɹəʊm ˌwɒzənt ˈbɪlt‿ɪn‿ə ˈdeɪ/

Inflected Forms

Rome was not built in a day (alternative)

Phrases

Rome wasn't burned in a day a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step all roads lead to Rome eat an elephant one bite at a time haste makes waste more haste, less speed slow and steady wins the race

Frequently Paired Words

a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step all roads lead to Rome eat an elephant one bite at a time haste makes waste more haste, less speed slow and steady wins the race

Antonyms

Rome wasn't burned in a day

Rhymes With

they me way may day say all-day away play day by day today pay

Questions

How do you pronounce rome wasn't built in a day?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɹoʊm ˌwʌzənt ˈbɪlt‿ɪn‿ə ˈdeɪ/.
What does rome wasn't built in a day mean?: It takes a long time to create something complicated or impressive.
Where does rome wasn't built in a day come from?: Probably a calque of Middle French Rome ne fut pas faite toute en un jour (literally “Rome was not made all in one day”); compare modern French Rome ne s'est pas faite en un jour.

How to pronounce rome wasn't built in a day

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