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

Derived Forms

• proˈverbially, adverb

Other Words From

• pro·verbi·al·ly adverb
• unpro·verbi·al adjective
• unpro·verbi·al·ly 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

For all the claptrap over the decades about booting people out, this country’s leaders quickly realize their error and bust out the proverbial welcome mat just as quickly.

From Los Angeles Times

Those proverbial guardrails that kept him in check his first term may no longer be there — Trump has said he will see to that — and with carte blanche from a supine Supreme Court, his maliciousness may be limited only by Trump’s febrile imagination.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s impossible for anyone to tell which surveys of public opinion are governed by rigorous methodology and which are conjured up by some hyper-partisan mini-Oz, tweeting from the proverbial basement.

From Salon

Still my proverbial jaw is on the proverbial floor every time I see a picture of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. This guy thinks you shouldn’t get your kids vaccinated against polio, too.

From Salon

By relinquishing that quest and settling into her new ghostly state –– which, we agree with Billy, suits her –– Agatha can impart the wisdom she’s learned walking the proverbial Witches Road.

From Salon