# maxim vs maximal

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### maxim
*noun · IPA /ˈmæk.sɪm/ · frequency rank #17,411*
A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.

### maximal
*adjective · IPA /ˈmæksɪməl/ · frequency rank #26,882*
Largest, greatest (in magnitude), highest, most.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxim-vs-maximal