maxim Definition
- 1a short statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct
- 2a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits
Using maxim: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "maxim" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
One of the most famous maxims in philosophy is 'Cogito, ergo sum' (I think, therefore I am).
Example
The maxim 'Honesty is the best policy' is widely accepted.
Example
His life was guided by the maxim 'Carpe diem' (Seize the day).
maxim Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with maxim
Example
The legal maxim 'Ignorance of the law is no excuse' is well-known.
Example
The British army used the Maxim gun during the Boer War.
a principle of conversation in linguistics that speakers should provide as much information as necessary, but not more
Example
The maxim of quantity is often violated in advertising, where companies use vague language to make their products seem better than they are.
Origins of maxim
from Latin 'maxima', meaning 'greatest'
Summary: maxim in Brief
A 'maxim' [ˈmæksɪm] is a concise statement expressing a general truth or rule of conduct. It can be a widely accepted saying, such as 'Honesty is the best policy,' or a philosophical principle like 'Cogito, ergo sum.' 'Maxim' also extends to phrases like 'legal maxim' and 'maxim of quantity,' which refer to principles of law and linguistics, respectively.
