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

Decades later, those twin maxims remain as timeless as ever, essential navigational beacons during every cycle. —Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 28 July 2025

Such is the folly of an uninformed electorate, vulnerable and exploitable to the maxims of tyranny. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2025

This became a famous, though controversial, legal maxim. —Fara Dabhoiwala, Harpers Magazine, 4 June 2025

That maxim certainly applies to the push by Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Teachers Union leadership to look to the tax increment financing program as a cure-all for their $734 million budget shortfall. —Paul Vallas, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 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