1.AdjectiveOf, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, cliché, fable, or fairy tale.
"The busyness of a beaver is proverbial.; The beaver in this instance upheld the reputation of the proverbial one: her output was prodigious."
2.AdjectiveOptionally placed before an element of a well-known proverb or metaphor to emphasize that the element is not being used in a literal sense (see Usage notes below)
"the proverbial smoking gun; the proverbial spilled milk; The visit was a warning shot across our proverbial bow"
3.AdjectiveWidely 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."
4.NounUsed 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?"