proverbially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "proverbially" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that is commonly known or expressed in a proverb. Example: "He is, proverbially, the early bird that catches the worm." Alternative expressions include "as the saying goes" and "as is often said."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Fewer, perhaps, realise that their eyes are inferior to those of birds and not just the eyes of such proverbially far-sighted avians as eagles.

The Economist

AMERICA is, both proverbially and in reality, a nation of immigrants.

The Economist

The Duke is proverbially punctual, and arrived at the station as early as half-past six.

The Economist

ELEPHANTS, proverbially, are afraid of mice.

The Economist

Elephants, proverbially, never forget.

The Economist

Though proverbially considered unintelligent, they were perfectly adapted to the conditions of their native Mauritius and were simply unequipped to deal with the threat posed by the arrival of Portugese sailors in 1507.

Britannica

The proverbially high resolving power of hawks' eyes depends partly on a large image being focused on the retina and partly on the concentration of rods and cones.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For example, a large Atlantic tarpon (Tarpon atlanticus) was estimated to contain more than 12 million eggs, about seven times as many as in the proverbially fecund cod.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They are proverbially connected with wealth, probably because they realized the importance of regular collections of land revenue.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Hence arises what Schiller called the "non-determining" character of art, as opposed to the "determining" character of oratory; and hence the justifiable suspicion of "political poetry"—political poetry being, proverbially, bad poetry.

Encyclopedia Britannica

To take it one step further from the proverbially butterfly wing-flap, in the clamour to condemn Clarke and beatify the anonymous till worker, we see the playback of one of the grandest cosmic dramas of them all.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

It is most effective when modifying adjectives that describe character traits or behaviors, such as "proverbially" busy, quiet, or stubborn.

Common error

Do not use "proverbially" to introduce an actual full proverb, such as saying "as the proverbially early bird catches the worm". Since the sentence is already a proverb, the adverb is redundant. Use it instead for qualities associated with proverbs without quoting the full saying.

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig, the primary function of "proverbially" is to serve as an Adverb of Manner or an Attitudinal Disjunct. It signals that the speaker is aware of the figurative or stereotypical nature of their description, effectively 'flagging' a cliché to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

18%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Based on the comprehensive data from Ludwig, "proverbially" is a highly versatile and correct adverb used to reference well-known cultural associations. With over 50 exact matches in high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, it is established as a reliable tool for writers to frame metaphors and traditional tropes. Ludwig AI confirms its status as an essential part of the sophisticated writer's toolkit, particularly in journalism and encyclopedic writing. When using it, remember that it functions best as a signal of self-awareness, allowing you to use common phrases like "proverbially busy" without sounding unoriginal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as the saying goes

Functions as a clausal alternative to the adverb to introduce a specific proverb.

as is often said

Provides a slightly more formal, descriptive way to signal common usage.

idiomatically

Focuses on the linguistic structure of the expression rather than the cultural wisdom aspect.

so to speak

A qualifier used to show that a description is metaphorical or not strictly literal.

famously

Highlights that the association is well-known without necessarily being a proverb.

reputedly

Suggests a shared belief or reputation, similar to a proverb's traditional standing.

stereotypically

Emphasizes the fixed, sometimes oversimplified cultural association.

notoriously

Used when the common association is of a negative or undesirable nature.

traditionally

Refers to the long-standing nature of the association rather than its proverbial status.

metaphorically

Focuses purely on the figurative nature of the language used.

FAQs

What does "proverbially" mean in a sentence?

It means that the description being used is part of a well-known proverb or is a traditional characteristic often mentioned in sayings. For example, describing someone as "proverbially stubborn" refers to a common cultural image of stubbornness.

What can I say instead of "proverbially"?

You can use alternatives like "as the saying goes", "so to speak", or "famously" depending on whether you are citing a proverb or just a well-known fact.

Is "proverbially" the same as "literally"?

No, they are quite different. While "literally" implies an actual, factual truth, "proverbially" implies a truth that exists within the realm of common cultural sayings and metaphors.

Can "proverbially" be used for modern stereotypes?

Yes, it is often used for characteristics that have become so well-known they function like proverbs, such as describing a tech startup as "proverbially disruptive".