proverbially

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adverb

In a manner that uses proverbs; in or according to proverbs.

“The bee is a proverbially busy creature.”

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Meanings

adverbproverbially (comparative more proverbially, superlative most proverbially)

comparative more proverbially · superlative most proverbially

  1. In a manner that uses proverbs; in or according to proverbs.

    The bee is a proverbially busy creature.

    1 more example

    “Unless I am gravely in error you are yourself a very brave man, and brave men are proverbially magnanimous.”

    1913, Edgar Rice Burroughs, The Return of Tarzan, New York: Ballantine Books, published 1963, page 33
  2. In a manner reminiscent of a proverb.

Origin

From proverbial + -ly.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

proverbially. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/proverbially

MLA

“proverbially.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/proverbially. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “proverbially,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/proverbially.

Source: proverbially on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.