different between proverbial vs proverbially

English

Etymology

• From Latin pr?verbi?lis; proverb +? -ial

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /p???v??b.i?.?l/

Adjective

proverbial (comparative more proverbial, superlative most proverbial)

1. Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
   • 1947, Miracle on 34th Street (transcript):

     Doris: You're making me feel like the proverbial stepmother.

2. Not used in a literal sense, but as the subject of a well-known metaphor.

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

Translations

Noun

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) The groin or the testicles.

   You'll find they've got you by the proverbials.

Translations

French

Adjective

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

1. proverbial

Romanian

Etymology

From French proverbial

Adjective

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

1. proverbial

Declension

Spanish

Adjective

proverbial (plural proverbiales)

1. proverbial

English

Etymology

proverbial +? -ly

Adverb

proverbially (comparative more proverbially, superlative most proverbially)

1. In a manner that uses proverbs; in proverbs.

   The bee is a proverbially busy creature.

2. In a manner reminiscent of a proverb.

Related terms

• proverb
• proverbial