What does "maxim" mean?
A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.
Maxim
/ˈmæk.sɪm/ name, noun, slang
name, noun, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.
- Grammar: maxim is listed as name, noun, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: axiom, proverb, a belief, adage.
- Useful contrasts: anomaly, exception, falsehood.
- Usage evidence: He worked in his favorite maxim.
How to use "maxim"
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- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "maxim" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
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- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
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- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "maxim" in a final draft.
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Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "maxim" is acting as name, noun, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
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Final meaning check
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Definitions
Noun
- 1 A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule. archaic
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of Maxim. alt-of
- 3 The Maxim gun, a British machine gun of various calibres used by the British army from 1889 until World War I.
"Again we went on, and climbed the false immensity of another ridge, when several rifles and a maxim opened upon us, and very close they were."
- 4 a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits wordnet
- 5 A precept; a succinct statement or observation of a rule of conduct or moral teaching.
"In every age and country of the world men must have attended to the characters, designs, and actions of one another, and many reputable rules and maxims for the conduct of human life, must have been laid down and approved of by common consent."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Any machine gun that derives from the design pattern of Maxim's patented design
- 7 A machine gun informal, obsolete
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname
Example
"He worked in his favorite maxim."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "maxim"?
Common synonyms include: axiom, proverb, a belief, adage, adage, adages.
How do you use "maxim" in a sentence?
He worked in his favorite maxim.
How do you pronounce "maxim"?
Pronounced /ˈmæk.sɪm/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Anglo-Norman maxime and Middle French maxime, from Late Latin maxima (“axiom”), noun use of the feminine singular form of Latin maximus (apparently as used in the phrase prōpositiō maxima (“greatest premise”)). Doublet of maxima.
Etymology 2
From Sir Hiram Maxim.
Etymology 3
* (machine guns): After the inventor Sir Hiram Maxim (1840-1916).