English Explanatory Dictionary

proverbial

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
  2. 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)
  3. Widely known; famous; stereotypical.
noun
  1. Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.
  2. The groin or the testicles.

Pronunciation

/pɹəˈvɜɹb.iː.əl/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-proverbial.wav

Word forms

proverbial more proverbial most proverbial proverbials

Etymology

From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial

Derived words

proverbialise proverbialize proverbialism proverbialist proverbiality proverbially proverbialness the proverbial dog that caught the car unproverbial up the proverbial
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