English Explanatory Dictionary

Rome wasn't built in a day

English dictionary entry

Meanings

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

Pronunciation

/ˈɹəʊm ˌwɒzənt ˈbɪlt‿ɪn‿ə ˈdeɪ/ /ˈɹoʊm ˌwʌzənt ˈbɪlt‿ɪn‿ə ˈdeɪ/ En-us-Rome wasn't built in a day.oga

Word forms

Rome wasn't built in a day Rome was 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.

Antonyms

Rome wasn't burned in a day

Related 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

Derived words

Rome wasn't burned in a day
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