proverbial

American  

[pruh-vur-bee-uhl] / prəˈvɜr bi əl /

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.

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proverbial British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• proverbially adverb
• unproverbial adjective
• unproverbially adverb

Etymology

Origin of proverbial

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

Example Sentences

I like the idea that he was still a schoolboy wearing his shorts and his sandals, although I think that's ripping the proverbial out of it.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

While picking a big winner is like finding a proverbial needle in a haystack, it’s much easier than in 1926.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

Next to all that, a rocky relationship styled into an on-and-off situationship for a reality TV subplot is the proverbial hill of beans Rick Blaine mentioned in “Casablanca.”

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Many Angelenos don’t know Eastern Pacific green sea turtles are swimming in their proverbial backyard, but they are — and they’re thriving.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

When your phone rings, it is a proverbial tap on the shoulder.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel