Added 9 October 2026
proverbial
/pɹəˈvɜɹb.iː.əl/ adjective
In Latin: prōverbiālis Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about proverbial at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
The busyness of a beaver is proverbial.
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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)
the proverbial smoking gun
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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.
noun
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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.
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The groin or the testicles.
You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.
Origin
From Latin prōverbiālis, equivalent to proverb + -ial
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)