proverbial
If something is proverbial, it's referred to in a familiar saying. If your little brother knocks over his milk and starts crying, you might think of the proverbial spilled milk.
Proverb is the root of proverbial, and it comes from the Latin word proverbium, “a common saying.” Proverbs are little stories or expressions that usually teach a lesson, like "Don't cry over spilled milk," which means "It's a waste of time to be upset about something that can't be helped." You could say to your dog, "Well, aren't you the proverbial best friend?" or tell your sister, who's dyed her hair purple, "You stick out like the proverbial sore thumb."
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widely known and spoken of“her proverbial lateness”“the proverbial absentminded professor”synonyms:knownapprehended with certainty
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of or relating to or resembling or expressed in a proverb“he kicked the proverbial bucket”“the proverbial grasshopper”
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Vocabulary lists containing proverbial
Jess and Leslie spend their free time playing in the fantasy land of Terabithia; but when tragedy strikes, one of them will have to learn to cope with loss in the real world.
Each week, students in a high school English class step up to the mic to share original poems.