aphorism

1 of 2

noun

aph·​o·​rism ˈa-fə-ˌri-zəm 

1

: a concise statement of a principle

2

: a terse formulation of a truth or sentiment : adage

the high-minded aphorism, "Let us value the quality of life, not the quantity"

3

: an ingeniously terse style of expression : aphoristic language

These are dazzling chapters, packed with perfectly chosen anecdotes and pithy with aphorism.

—John Keegan

aphorist

ˈa-fə-rist 

noun

aphoristic

ˌa-fə-ˈri-stik 

adjective

aphoristically

ˌa-fə-ˈri-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

aphoristic

2 of 2

adjective

aph·​o·​ris·​tic ¦a-fə-¦ri-stik 

1

: of, resembling, or characterized by aphorisms : terse, pithy

the suggestive virtues of the aphoristic style

—Douglas Bush

2

: given to the use of aphorisms

do not be brilliant and aphoristic

—J. B. Cabell

aphoristically

¦a-fə-¦ri-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Did you know?

Aphorism was originally used in the world of medicine. Credit Hippocrates, the Greek physician regarded as the father of modern medicine, with influencing our use of the word. He used aphorismos (a Greek ancestor of aphorism meaning "definition" or "aphorism") in titling a book outlining his principles on the diagnosis and treatment of disease. That volume offered many examples that helped to define aphorism, beginning with the statement that starts the book's introduction: "Life is short, Art long, Occasion sudden and dangerous, Experience deceitful, and Judgment difficult." English speakers originally used the term mainly in the realm of the physical sciences but eventually broadened its use to cover principles in other fields.

Synonyms of aphorism

Noun

• proverb
• saying
• word
• maxim

Examples of aphorism in a Sentence

Noun

Confronted by a broadminded, witty, and tolerant cosmopolitan, for whom the infinite varieties of human custom offered a source of inexhaustible fascination, Thucydides presented himself as a humorless nationalist, an intellectual given to political aphorisms and abstract generalizations. —Peter Green, New York Review of Books, 15 May 2008

It doesn't take long to learn that a lie always unravels and that it always ends up making you feel royally cruddy. "Do the kind of work during the day that allows you to sleep at night" was an aphorism my grandfather was fond of. —Amy Krouse Rosenthal, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2006

The Sun twice went into journalism legend. Its city editor John Bogart is generally credited with the aphorism "When a dog bites a man, that's not news. But when a man bites a dog, that's news." And the paper delivered America's most treasured editorial in 1897, when a young girl, whose playmates had told her there was no Santa Claus, wrote and asked the Sun to tell her the truth. —Peter Andrews, American Heritage, October 1994

Truman is remembered as much today for his aphorisms as his policies: "The buck stops here," "If you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen," and the like. Such slogans are endearing in a time of plastic politicians who make a career of ducking responsibilities … —Ronald Steel, New Republic, 10 Aug. 1992

When decorating, remember the familiar aphorism, “less is more.”

what does the aphorism “Hindsight is 20/20” mean?

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Oscar Wilde remains the go-to source of aphorisms for Britons after a quick laugh. — Kevin Liptak, CNN Money, 28 Apr. 2026

Politics is no refuge for those allergic to the viral aphorism. — Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026

In romance, Tolstoy’s aphorism about the family is reversed. — Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 27 June 2026

Wall of Sound pop, ticky-tacky drum machines and synths; his storytelling brings a bohemian world into focus through arch aphorisms, dirty jokes and rhymes that scan impeccably. — New York Times, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle French aphorisme, from Late Latin aphorismus, from Greek aphorismos definition, aphorism, from aphorizein to define, from apo- + horizein to bound — more at horizon

Adjective

Greek aphoristikos delimiting, aphoristic, from (assumed) aphoristos (verbal of aphorizein) + -ikos -ic

First Known Use

Noun

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1753, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for aphorism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• sophism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism

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Kids Definition

aphorism

noun

aph·​o·​rism ˈaf-ə-ˌriz-əm 

: a short statement of a general truth or idea

aphorist

-rəst 

noun

aphoristic

ˌaf-ə-ˈris-tik 

adjective

aphoristically

-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb