# maxim

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmæk.sɪm/ · frequency rank #17,411

## Definitions
1. A self-evident axiom or premise; a pithy expression of a general principle or rule.
2. A precept; a succinct statement or observation of a rule of conduct or moral teaching.

## Etymology
From Anglo-Norman maxime and Middle French maxime, from Late Latin maxima (“axiom”), noun use of the feminine singular form of Latin maximus (apparently as used in the phrase prōpositiō maxima (“greatest premise”)). Doublet of maxima.

## Easily confused with
- **mim** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxim-vs-mim)
- **Maxine** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxim-vs-maxine)
- **maxima** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxim-vs-maxima)
- **maximum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxim-vs-maximum)
- **maximal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxim-vs-maximal)
- **Maximus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxim-vs-maximus)
- **max** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/max-vs-maxim)
- **mai** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mai-vs-maxim)
- **mam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mam-vs-maxim)
- **main** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/main-vs-maxim)
- **mail** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mail-vs-maxim)
- **maid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maid-vs-maxim)
- **Mali** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mali-vs-maxim)
- **Maui** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maui-vs-maxim)
- **maxi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maxi-vs-maxim)
- **mani** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mani-vs-maxim)
- **Mari** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mari-vs-maxim)
- **Maia** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maia-vs-maxim)
- **Mais** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/mais-vs-maxim)
- **maki** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/maki-vs-maxim)

## Common misspellings (7)
`amxim`, `maixm`, `maximm`, `maxmi`, `maxxim`, `mmaxim`, `mxaim`

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