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.

---

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

---

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

In the best tradition of country music, his 1995 masterpiece is the proverbial three chords and the truth.

From The Wall Street Journal

The novel’s satisfying denouement is assured when a disgraced former colleague of Ben’s, gloriously named Richard Take, accepts the proverbial dagger from Martin.

From The Wall Street Journal

But if the floorboards ever shift again, I’ll be navigating it with my proverbial favorite wig ready.

From Los Angeles Times

Is Wall Street ready to have the proverbial punch bowl taken away?

From The Wall Street Journal

Is Wall Street ready to have the proverbial punch bowl taken away?

From The Wall Street Journal