adj
C2
Proficient
proverbial
pruh-VURRB-ee-uhl
Proverbial (adj) means Referred to in, or resembling, a well-known proverb or saying. Example: “He was the proverbial fish out of water at the gala.”
adj
1
Referred to in, or resembling, a well-known proverb or saying.
"He was the proverbial fish out of water at the gala."
"She hit the proverbial nail on the head."
2
Widely known; commonly recognized as typical of something.
"His generosity is proverbial among his colleagues."
How to use proverbial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDescribing something so well known it's become a stock phrase or stands for a whole idea, as in "the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back."
Common pairings
the proverbial
proverbial wisdom
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Word forms
- Plural
- proverbials
- Comparative
- more proverbial
- Superlative
- most proverbial
Fill the gap
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He was the _____ fish out of water at the gala.
Etymology
From Latin prōverbiālis, built from proverb plus the adjective suffix -ial.
Related words
Rhymes for proverbial
See all rhymes for proverbial →Frequently asked questions
What does “proverbial” mean?
The word “proverbial” means referred to in, or resembling, a well-known proverb or saying. In plain terms, describing something so well known it's become a stock phrase or stands for a whole idea, as in "the proverbial straw that broke the camel's back.".
How do you pronounce “proverbial”?
“Proverbial” is pronounced pruh-VURRB-ee-uhl (/pɹəˈvɜɹb.iː.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “proverbial” in a sentence?
Here is “proverbial” used in a sentence: “He was the proverbial fish out of water at the gala.”
What part of speech is “proverbial”?
“Proverbial” is an adjective.
Where does the word “proverbial” come from?
The word “proverbial” comes from Latin. From Latin prōverbiālis, built from proverb plus the adjective suffix -ial.
How many meanings does “proverbial” have?
“Proverbial” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: referred to in, or resembling, a well-known proverb or saying.
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