# axiom

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈak.sɪ.əm/ · frequency rank #28,121

## Definitions
1. A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which is based on assumption; a principle or proposition which cannot actually be proved or disproved.
2. A fundamental assumption that serves as a basis for deduction of theorems; a postulate (sometimes distinguished from postulates as being universally applicable, whereas postulates are particular to a certain science or context).
3. An established principle in some artistic practice or science that is universally received.

## Etymology
From Middle French axiome in the 15th century, from Latin axiōma (“axiom; principle”), from Ancient Greek ἀξίωμα (axíōma, “that which is thought to fit, a requisite, that which a pupil is required to know beforehand, a self-evident principle”), from ἀξιόω (axióō, “to think fit or worthy, to require, to demand”), from ἄξιος (áxios, “fit, worthy”, literally “weighing as much as; of like value”), from ἄγω (ágō, “to weigh (down)”).

## Easily confused with
- **axis** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/axiom-vs-axis)
- **axon** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/axiom-vs-axon)
- **aim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/aim-vs-axiom)
- **atom** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/atom-vs-axiom)
- **axial** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/axial-vs-axiom)
- **anion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/anion-vs-axiom)

## Common misspellings (6)
`aixom`, `aximo`, `axiomm`, `axoim`, `axxiom`, `xaiom`

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