proverbial

[ pruh-vur-bee-uh l ]
/ prəˈvɜr bi əl /

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.

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, adverb un·pro·ver·bi·al, adjective un·pro·ver·bi·al·ly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for proverbial

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