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

Other Word Forms

• proverbially adverb
• unproverbial adjective
• unproverbially 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

He is the proverbial New York sewer rat, cornered and lashing out in a desperate attempt to survive.

Read more on Salon

Democrats need to draw a line in the proverbial sand and take a strong stand on what they want in exchange for keeping the federal government open.

Read more on Salon

It may not be a proverbial smoking gun – an undeniable link to wrongdoing that destroys careers or supercharges criminal investigations.

Read more on BBC

Bowser, though, is caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

Read more on Salon

They could use the same tone and demand the reinstitution of all the funding for their proverbial “kitchen table issues.”

Read more on Salon