English edit

Etymology edit

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK) IPA(key): /pɹəˈvɜɹb.iː.əl/
  • (file)

Adjective edit

proverbial (comparative more proverbial, superlative most proverbial)

  1. Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
  2. Not used in a literal sense, but as the subject of a well-known metaphor.
    the proverbial smoking gun
    proverbial spilled milk
    The visit was a warning shot across our proverbial bows
  3. Widely known; famous; stereotypical.
    I grew up in a prefab house on Main Street in 1950s suburbia, the second and last child of a proverbial nuclear family.

Derived terms edit

Translations edit

Noun edit

proverbial (plural proverbials)

  1. (euphemistic) Used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.
    I think we should be prepared in case the proverbial hits the fan.
    Are you taking the proverbial?
  2. (euphemistic, in the plural) The groin or the testicles.
    You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.

Translations edit

Catalan edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from Latin prōverbiālis.

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

proverbial m or f (masculine and feminine plural proverbials)

  1. proverbial

Related terms edit

Further reading edit

French edit

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

proverbial (feminine proverbiale, masculine plural proverbiaux, feminine plural proverbiales)

  1. proverbial

Further reading edit

Romanian edit

Etymology edit

Borrowed from French proverbial.

Adjective edit

proverbial m or n (feminine singular proverbială, masculine plural proverbiali, feminine and neuter plural proverbiale)

  1. proverbial

Declension edit

Spanish edit

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /pɾobeɾˈbjal/ [pɾo.β̞eɾˈβ̞jal]
  • Rhymes: -al
  • Syllabification: pro‧ver‧bial

Adjective edit

proverbial m or f (masculine and feminine plural proverbiales)

  1. proverbial

Derived terms edit

Further reading edit