maxim

noun

max·​im ˈmak-səm 

1

: a general truth, fundamental principle, or rule of conduct

Mother's favorite maxim was "Don't count your chickens before they hatch."

2

: a proverbial saying

advised their children with the maxim "marry in haste, repent at leisure"

Synonyms of maxim

• proverb
• saying
• word
• motto
• adage

Examples of maxim in a Sentence

it's a common maxim that “a watched pot never boils,” but that's not literally true

Recent Examples on the Web

But the maxim applies in a different way in the documentary Fork in the Road, which made its world premiere Saturday at the Sonoma International Film Festival in California’s wine country. —Matthew Carey, Deadline, 29 Mar. 2026

By now, decades into Americans’ pursuit of cooking as a mainstream hobby, certain maxims have become near-law among food lovers. —Emily Heil, Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2026

Ash found success by attending revival-style sales conventions and memorizing every smile, wink, and maxim in the Stanley songbook. —Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

There are three problems with this maxim. —Tad Friend, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English maxime, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin maxima, from Latin, feminine of maximus, superlative of magnus large — more at much

First Known Use

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for maxim

• cefotaxime

Kids Definition

maxim

noun

max·​im ˌmak-səm 

1

: a general truth or rule of conduct

2

: a proverbial saying

Biographical Definition

Maxim 1 of 2

biographical name (1)

Max·​im ˈmak-səm 

Sir Hiram Stevens 1840–1916 British (American-born) inventor

Maxim

2 of 2

biographical name (2)

Hudson 1853–1927 brother of Hiram Maxim American inventor