What does “maxim” mean?
- 1
nouna short saying that expresses a general truth or rule of behavior
She lives by the maxim “Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
Maxim at a glance
- Part of speech
- noun
- CEFR level
- C1 (advanced)
- Pronunciation
- /ˈmæksɪm/ · MAK-sim
How to use “maxim” correctly
A maxim is a rule for behavior; a proverb is a traditional saying; an aphorism is a clever, short observation.
Common phrases with “maxim”
- follow a maxim
- live by a maxim
- the old maxim
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
- saying
- proverb
- adage
“maxim” is on these word lists
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