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

• 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

Keeping with that maxim, McNally begins with his suicide attempt in 2018 on the heels of a debilitating stroke. —Sean Woods, Rolling Stone, 24 May 2025

Kennedy’s views of individual ingredients oscillate between commonsense dietary maxims and conspiratorial musings. —Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025

The maxim for so long in international trade has been to remove all sand from the gears. —Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025

But, of course, seeing one of our best musical comediennes so deliciously live out the maxim that all is vanity is especially a treat for Hilty heads who’ve longed to see her in a Broadway production that lives up to the title of her former TV series. —Chris Willman, Variety, 19 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