Proverbial
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /pɹəˈvɜɹb.iː.əl/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Proverbial is an adjective meaning Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
Meaning
Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
More Meanings
- Widely known; famous; stereotypical.
- (euphemistic) Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.
- (euphemistic, in the plural) The groin or the testicles.
- Optionally placed before an element of a well-known proverb or metaphor to emphasize that the element is not being used in a literal sense (see Usage notes below)
Example Sentences
the proverbial smoking gun
the proverbial spilled milk
The busyness of a beaver is proverbial.
The visit was a warning shot across our proverbial bow
Word Forms
- proverbials
Synonyms for proverbial
Depending on context, synonyms include known.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include known, fabled, legendary, well-known, famed, renowned.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.