proverbial

[ pruh-vur-bee-uhl ]

/ prəˈvɜr bi əl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for proverbial on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of proverbial

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Latin word prōverbiālis.See proverb, -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM proverbial

pro·ver·bi·al·ly, adverbun·pro·ver·bi·al, adjectiveun·pro·ver·bi·al·ly, adverb

Words nearby proverbial

provender, provenience, proventriculus, prove out, proverb, proverbial, Proverbs, provide, provided, providence, Providence, Divine

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use proverbial in a sentence

Over shorter distances, a wheelchair is held back by just how slow it is to get out of the proverbial gate.
Why Wheelchair Racers Outpace Olympic Distance Runners — But Not Sprinters|John Loeppky|August 23, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
In their return to work plans, many companies are trying to “replace this thing that was lost” — such as talks around the proverbial watercooler that could lead to good ideas.
Employees praised for pandemic productivity question new pressures to return to the office|Sara Guaglione|August 17, 2021|Digiday
Like the proverbial whack-a-mole, the Olympic sex test keeps coming back—with disastrous effects for women athletes across the globe—no matter how many times athletes and human rights’ advocates think they have abolished it.
Sex testing at the Olympics has always been wrong|Bruce Kidd|July 17, 2021|Quartz
The proverbial fork in the road is between functionality for online businesses versus experience for website visitors.
Core Web Vitals: Google is not backing down in the fight against the slow web|Sponsored Content: Searchmetrics|June 24, 2021|Search Engine Land

On Thursday afternoon, as we sat down to record this podcast, a proverbial grenade was lobbed into our virtual podcast studio in the form of this letter.
VOSD Podcast: Lincoln Fight Escalates While the Campbell Recall Fizzles|Nate John|June 4, 2021|Voice of San Diego
“They left me holding the 5-pound bag with the proverbial 10 pounds in it,” he says.
Dan Malloy Is Progressives’ Dream Governor. So Why Isn’t He Winning?|David Freedlander|October 30, 2014|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.
The Walking Dead’s Luke Skywalker: Rick Grimes Is the Perfect Modern-Day Mythical Hero|Regina Lizik|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
However, these “potty-mouthed princesses” curse like proverbial sailors to prove a point.
Marcel the Shell Returns, Potty-Mouthed Princesses, and More Viral Videos|Alex Chancey|October 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Well, we left off with Bishop on the soccer field, and Kalinda had her proverbial back against the wall.
‘The Good Wife’ Star Mike Colter Defends Lemond Bishop’s Killer Instincts|Kevin Fallon|September 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But because it had not erupted in recorded history, it missed the proverbial geological radar screen.
Cleaning Up From Napa's Winepocalypse|Jordan Salcito|August 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The designs of Russia have long been proverbial; but the exercise of the new art of printing may assign them new features.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Of course not,” said Wilkins, “proverbial philosophy asserts and requires that doctors should disagree.
Hunting the Lions|R.M. Ballantyne
But that uncertainty which is proverbial in human affairs stepped within the circle of his life and overturned his plans.
The Floating Light of the Goodwin Sands|R.M. Ballantyne
The present owner, whose hospitality is proverbial in the neighbourhood, has religiously preserved the room intact.
Friend Mac Donald|Max O'Rell
Long before Rodenbach's romance was written this peculiarity of Bruges was proverbial throughout Belgium.
Belgium|George W. T. (George William Thomson) Omond

British Dictionary definitions for proverbial

proverbial

/ (prəˈvɜːbɪəl) /

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

Derived forms of proverbial

proverbially, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

proverbial

Origin of proverbial

OTHER WORDS FROM proverbial

Words nearby proverbial

Words related to proverbial

How to use proverbial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for proverbial

Derived forms of proverbial