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Exemplary vs Proverbial - What's the difference?

exemplary | proverbial |

As adjectives the difference between exemplary and proverbial

is that exemplary is deserving honour, respect and admiration while proverbial is of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, , fable, or fairy tale.

As nouns the difference between exemplary and proverbial

is that exemplary is (obsolete) an example, or typical instance; an exemplar while proverbial is (euphemistic) used to replace a word that might be considered unacceptable in a particular situation, when using a well-known phrase.

exemplary

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Deserving honour, respect and admiration.
  • Of such high quality that it should serve as an example to be imitated.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • [Bishops'] lives and doctrines ought to be exemplary .
  • Ideal or perfect.
  • Serving as a warning; monitory.
  • as, exemplary justice, punishment, or damages

    Noun

    (exemplaries)
  • (obsolete) An example, or typical instance; an exemplar
  • (obsolete) A copy of a book or writing.
  • (Donne)

    proverbial

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of, resembling, or expressed as a proverb, , fable, or fairy tale.
  • * 1947 , ( transcript):
  • Doris: You're making me feel like the proverbial stepmother.
  • Widely 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.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (euphemistic) Used 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.
  • (euphemistic) The groin or the testicles.