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 her daughter with the maxim "marry in haste, repent at leisure"

Synonyms

• adage
• aphorism
• apothegm
• byword
• epigram
• proverb
• saw
• saying
• sententia
• word

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

That violates another maxim commonly taught in families, schools and religious venues everywhere: Those who can should help those in need. —Chicago Tribune, 16 May 2025

At a place as small as McCabe’s — smaller, even, by far than the El Rey, where Burnett last officially played in 2006 — a statement like that could count as more than just a passing maxim. —Chris Willman, Variety, 13 May 2025

War is hell — and Warfare does its damnedest to honor that old maxim. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Here, 20 Forbes Coaches Council members share some essential maxims for senior leaders to follow when offering feedback to direct reports, along with why these principles are so useful for providing guidance to build strong, high-performing teams. 1. —Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 3 Apr. 2025

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