Maxim
noun /ˈmæk.sɪm/ — A general rule of conduct or short statement of a principle.
Definition
A short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct — typically more abstract and principled than a proverb or adage. A maxim is a philosophical compression: the principle expressed in its most portable form.
Beyond the definition
A maxim is the idea made portable — the condensation of a whole argument into a single sentence that you can carry with you and consult when needed.
Origin & history
From Medieval Latin 'maxima' (greatest, most important proposition); from 'maximus' (greatest). The 'greatest proposition' — the supreme premise from which other things follow.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
La Rochefoucauld's maxims are among the sharpest in European literature: 'Self-love is the greatest flatterer of all'.
Kant's categorical imperative is a maxim in the original sense: a supreme principle from which all moral conduct can be derived.
She had three maxims she returned to when things fell apart — short enough to remember, true enough to help.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Maxim” when the meaning fits your context: A short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct — typically more abstract and principled than a proverb or adage. A maxim is a philosophical compression: the principle expressed in its most portable form.
Synonyms
principle, rule, dictum, aphorism
Related words
Maxim vs aphorism
A maxim is a rule of conduct or principle of action. An aphorism is a concise, often philosophical observation that states a general truth about life or human nature.
Compare this word
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Orderly Principles of Truth
An adult works at a table, meticulously arranging wooden pieces into a structured form.
The step-by-step assembly of an ordered structure represents a maxim, which serves as a short, abstract statement of conduct. It is the most portable and principled compression of philosophical truth.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Maxim" mean?
Maxim is noun meaning: A general rule of conduct or short statement of a principle.. A short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct — typically more abstract and principled than a proverb or adage. A maxim is a philosophical compression: the principle expressed in its most portable form.
Where does the word "Maxim" come from?
From Medieval Latin 'maxima' (greatest, most important proposition); from 'maximus' (greatest). The 'greatest proposition' — the supreme premise from which other things follow.