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proverbial. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
proverbial, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
proverbial in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Etymology
Pronunciation
Adjective
proverbial (comparative more proverbial, superlative most proverbial)
- Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
- 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
- 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
Translations
Noun
proverbial (plural proverbials)
- (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?
- (euphemistic, in the plural) The groin or the testicles.
You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.
Translations
Catalan
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin prōverbiālis.
Pronunciation
Adjective
proverbial m or f (masculine and feminine plural proverbials)
- proverbial
Further reading
French
Pronunciation
Adjective
proverbial (feminine proverbiale, masculine plural proverbiaux, feminine plural proverbiales)
- proverbial
Further reading
Romanian
Etymology
Borrowed from French proverbial.
Adjective
proverbial m or n (feminine singular proverbială, masculine plural proverbiali, feminine and neuter plural proverbiale)
- proverbial
Declension
Spanish
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /pɾobeɾˈbjal/
- Rhymes: -al
- Syllabification: pro‧ver‧bial
Adjective
proverbial m or f (masculine and feminine plural proverbiales)
- proverbial
Derived terms
Further reading