proverbial
gb/pɹəvˈɚbiəl/ us/pɹəvˈɚbiəl/
C1
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adjective
C1
property
1
famous and often referred to
very well known and often used as an example
Schéma d’usage :
the proverbial [noun/phrase]
Erreur fréquente :
It does not mean “true”; it means “commonly talked about” or “a typical example.”
Synonymes
typical (More general; lacks the idea of being a familiar saying or cliché.)
|
well-known (Focuses on fame, not on being a standard example.)
|
classic (Suggests a long-established, widely recognized example.)
Antonymes
unfamiliar (Not well known or commonly referred to.)
|
rare (Not typical or commonly encountered.)
Collocations
the proverbial
|the proverbial example
|the proverbial cliché
|the proverbial needle in a haystack
|the proverbial elephant in the room
|the proverbial straw
|proverbial patience
|proverbial wisdom
|proverbial expression
|proverbial truth
Thèmes
communication
|daily_life
Exemples
- Finding a parking space near the stadium was the proverbial needle in a haystack.
- He arrived late with the proverbial apology and excuse.
- The team’s internal conflict became the proverbial elephant in the room.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It was the proverbial last straw.
- She gave the proverbial answer: “It depends.”
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
relating to proverbs
connected with proverbs (traditional short sayings)
Schéma d’usage :
[proverbial] [wisdom/saying/expression]
Erreur fréquente :
Don’t confuse with “verbal.” “Proverbial” is about proverbs, not speech in general.
Synonymes
aphoristic (More literary; refers broadly to short, memorable statements, not only traditional proverbs.)
|
sententious (Often suggests moralizing or overly ‘wise-sounding’ statements.)
Antonymes
nonproverbial (Not related to proverbs or proverbial style.)
Collocations
proverbial wisdom
|proverbial saying
|proverbial expression
|proverbial phrase
|proverbial language
|proverbial style
|proverbial form
|proverbial tradition
Thèmes
language
|education
|literature
Exemples
- Her speech was full of proverbial wisdom passed down from her grandparents.
- The novel uses proverbial expressions to give the dialogue a traditional feel.
- In many cultures, proverbial language is used to give advice indirectly.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This book collects proverbial sayings from around the world.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
proverbial
API
GB/pɹəvˈɚbiəl/
US/pɹəvˈɚbiəl/
Syllabes et accentuation
pro - ver - bi - al (4 syllabes)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ver)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: proverbial
Famille de mots
Core family
proverb
noun B2
proverbially
adverb
Expressions
the proverbial [noun/phrase]
1/ðə pɹəvˈɚbiəl nˈaʊnəfɹəs/
fixed phrase
the familiar typical example
used to say something is a common example that people often talk about
Exemples
- He’s always the one who forgets the keys—the proverbial absent-minded professor.
- We were waiting for the proverbial call that never came.
- She had the proverbial pile of paperwork on her desk.