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ProverbHub
EnglishLatin scriptExpression: Verified

Good things come to those who wait.

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Meanings

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Patience and delayed outcomesReviewed 2026-08-18
Sense: Verified
Literal translation

Good things come to those who wait.

Natural translation

Good things come to those who wait.

Functional meaning

Used to encourage someone to keep waiting rather than force an outcome, on the understanding that the delay itself is not a loss.

Usage context

Everyday encouragement, often to someone impatient about a result that is already in motion — a decision, a delivery, a reply. Frequently said lightly, and sometimes said ironically when the wait has become unreasonable.

Community
Unknown
Region
English-speaking use, not localised further in the reviewed sources
Historical period
Unknown
Register
everyday, informal

What supports this meaning

Functional meaning

  • The Oxford Dictionary of English ProverbsF. P. Wilson (ed.)1970Dictionary

    Locator: s.v. "Everything comes to him who waits"

    The dictionary gloss describes encouragement to wait for an expected outcome, which is the functional meaning recorded here.

    Claim: VerifiedExpert review evidenceContent lead, 2026-08-18

    Restricted, compatible with this use. Cite the headword and locator only. Do not reproduce the dictionary's commentary.

Compared with

No reviewed comparison includes this meaning yet.

How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.

Report an issue with this meaning: Good things come to those who wait.