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- Dictionaryproverbial/prəˈvəːbɪəl/
adjective
- 1. (of a word or phrase) referred to in a proverb or idiom: "I'm going to stick out like the proverbial sore thumb"
noun
- 1. used to stand for a word or phrase that is normally part of a proverb or idiom but is not actually uttered: "one word out of line, and the proverbial hits the fan"
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(of a statement) commonly known, esp. because it is from a proverb or saying known by many people, or because it expresses a truth known by a particular group of people: Yelling at me was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
The meaning of PROVERBIAL is of, relating to, or resembling a proverb. How to use proverbial in a sentence.
You use proverbial to show that you know the way you are describing something is one that is often used or is part of a popular saying. The limousine sped off down the road in the proverbial cloud of dust.
(of a statement) commonly known, esp. because it is from a proverb or saying known by many people, or because it expresses a truth known by a particular group of people: Yelling at me was the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.
Proverb is the root of proverbial, and it comes from the Latin word proverbium, “a common saying.” Proverbs are little stories or expressions that usually teach a lesson, like "Don't cry over spilled milk," which means "It's a waste of time to be upset about something that can't be helped."
1. proverbial - of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb; "he kicked the proverbial bucket"; "the proverbial grasshopper". 2. proverbial - widely known and spoken of; "her proverbial lateness"; "the proverbial absentminded professor"; "your proverbial dizzy blonde".
proverbial is a borrowing from Latin. Etymons: Latin prōverbiālis. See etymology. Nearby entries. provenly, adv. 1887–. provent, n. c1451–1684. provention, n. 1548–1740. proventricular, adj. 1835–.
You use proverbial to show that you know the way you are describing something is one that is often used or is part of a popular saying. The limousine sped off down the road in the proverbial cloud of dust.
Definition of proverbial adjective in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Proverbial definition: of, relating to, or characteristic of a proverb. See examples of PROVERBIAL used in a sentence.
