proverbial

[ pruh-vur-bee-uhl ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a proverb:

   proverbial brevity.

2. expressed in a proverb or proverbs:

   proverbial wisdom.

3. of the nature of or resembling a proverb:

   proverbial sayings.

4. having been made the subject of a proverb:

   the proverbial barn door which is closed too late.

5. having become an object of common mention or reference:

   your proverbial inability to get anywhere on time.

proverbial

/ prəˈvɜːbɪəl /

adjective

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

Derived Forms

• proˈverbially, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·verbi·al·ly adverb
• unpro·verbi·al adjective
• unpro·verbi·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of proverbial¹

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

Example Sentences

“They left me holding the 5-pound bag with the proverbial 10 pounds in it,” he says.

From The Daily Beast

As they once again invade the safety of the prison that the group calls home, Rick is forced to take up the proverbial sword.

From The Daily Beast

However, these “potty-mouthed princesses” curse like proverbial sailors to prove a point.

From The Daily Beast

Well, we left off with Bishop on the soccer field, and Kalinda had her proverbial back against the wall.

From The Daily Beast

But because it had not erupted in recorded history, it missed the proverbial geological radar screen.

From The Daily Beast

The designs of Russia have long been proverbial; but the exercise of the new art of printing may assign them new features.

From Project Gutenberg

Of course not,” said Wilkins, “proverbial philosophy asserts and requires that doctors should disagree.

From Project Gutenberg

But that uncertainty which is proverbial in human affairs stepped within the circle of his life and overturned his plans.

From Project Gutenberg

The present owner, whose hospitality is proverbial in the neighbourhood, has religiously preserved the room intact.

From Project Gutenberg

Long before Rodenbach's romance was written this peculiarity of Bruges was proverbial throughout Belgium.

From Project Gutenberg