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Proverbial for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: prə'vɜrbiəl

What does Proverbial really mean?

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Hey there! So, you're wondering what the word "proverbial" means, right? Well, let me break it down for you in the simplest way possible!

Imagine you're reading a story or listening to someone telling a tale. And suddenly, they say something like, "He's the proverbial black sheep of the family." Now, doesn't that make you wonder what the word "proverbial" means?

Here's the deal:

The word "proverbial" is kind of like a special way of saying that something is well-known or famous for a particular characteristic. It's like when people say "as the saying goes" or "as the story goes" or something similar. When they use the word "proverbial," they're sort of hinting that this thing they're talking about is famous or well-known for having a specific quality.

For instance, let's say a friend tells you about a movie where the hero is always saving the day. You might say, "Oh, that's the proverbial knight in shining armor!" It means that this character is the famous symbol of bravery and heroism, just like in those old stories we've all heard.

But wait, there's more to it:

"Proverbial" can also be used when we talk about expressions or cliches that refer to well-known sayings or ideas. You know, those little sayings that people use to give advice or share wisdom? They usually start with words like "a penny for your thoughts" or "a stitch in time saves nine."

So, let's say you have a teacher who always starts his classes with a wise saying or a piece of advice that everyone knows. You could say, "Here comes Mr. Wise with his proverbial words of wisdom!" It means that he always comes up with those well-known sayings that we've all heard before.

So, in a nutshell:

"Proverbial" means something is well-known or famous for a certain characteristic, like a symbol or idea that's been talked about a lot. It can also refer to expressions and cliches that we all know and have heard before.

Think of it like being compared to a celebrity or a famous historical figure. When someone says "You're the proverbial Einstein of our class!" it means they think you're really, really smart, just like Einstein used to be. It's a way of saying that you're famous for being super intelligent!

Well, that's the long story made simple! I hope I could help you understand what "proverbial" means. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

Revised and Fact checked by Stephanie Wilson on 2023-10-28 16:30:27

Proverbial In a sentece

Learn how to use Proverbial inside a sentece

  • He is always late to class, so he has earned the proverbial 'tardiness' crown.
  • She won the proverbial 'lottery' and became an overnight millionaire.
  • His new sports car is the proverbial 'dream come true' for any car enthusiast.
  • After months of hard work, she finally received the proverbial 'promotion' she had long hoped for.
  • The old haunted house on the hill is the proverbial 'spooky' mansion in the neighborhood.

Proverbial Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.

Proverbial Pertains To

Words to which the original word is relevant