PROVERBIAL Definition & Meaning

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proverbial

[ pruh-vur-bee-uhl ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of a proverb:
proverbial brevity.
expressed in a proverb or proverbs:
proverbial wisdom.
of the nature of or resembling a proverb:
proverbial sayings.
having been made the subject of a proverb:
the proverbial barn door which is closed too late.
having become an object of common mention or reference:
your proverbial inability to get anywhere on time.

proverbial

/ ��əˈ��ɜː��ɪə�� /

adjective

prenominal commonly or traditionally referred to, esp as being an example of some peculiarity, characteristic, etc
of, connected with, embodied in, or resembling a proverb

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Derived Forms

��ˈ��, adverb

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Other �y��vlog Forms

��·��b��·��·�� adverb
�ܲ�p��·��b��·�� adjective
un��·��b��·��·�� adverb

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of proverbial¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word ��ō��. See proverb, -al ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Sandberg becomes more the epitome of someone with the proverbial whim of iron.

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With a glorious start to the meteorological spring, coming in like the proverbial lamb rather than lion, temperatures have risen thanks to increasingly mild air, boosted by plentiful sunshine and longer daylight hours.

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It would be a tragedy to throw the proverbial baby out with the bathwater given that we are faced with an opportunity to actually make work better — for everyone.

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I don’t smoke cigarettes, but one where you’re smoking a proverbial cigarette and the wine is flowing.

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Meloni said in a statement that she was "very happy to have found him alert and responsive. We joked as always. He hasn't lost his proverbial sense of humour."

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