máximavsmáximoWhat's the difference?

Quick tell: máxima is a noun, máximo is an adjective, so they fill different roles in a sentence.

Which to use

“máxima” is a noun and “máximo” is an adjective - they look or sound alike but fill different roles in a sentence.

#3,092
“máxima” frequency rank
#1,578
“máximo” frequency rank
4670
confusion score

Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature máxima máximo
Definition a expressão de uma verdade ou princípio geral, especialmente uma com tom moral ou aforístico o maior de todos

Where the spellings diverge

Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set máxima and máximo apart are highlighted. They share 5 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.

6 ch
máxima
6 ch
máximo

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

máxima and máximo form a confusable pair in the Portuguese index, two distinct headwords that are easily confused because they look alike, sound alike, or both. They differ by a single letter - a in “máxima” becomes o in “máximo” - close enough that the eye skips over the difference, far enough that meaning fully diverges. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 4670, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.

máxima is recorded at frequency rank #3,092, classified as anoun, pronounced /ˈma.si.mɐ/. máximo is at rank #1,578, tagged as anadj, pronounced /ˈma.si.mu/.

Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.

With a confusion score of 4670, this pair ranks #70,157 of 75,631 scored Portuguese confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.

Frequency comparison

máxima#3,092
máximo#1,578

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list

Frequently Asked Questions

Can "máxima" and "máximo" be used interchangeably?
No, "máxima" and "máximo" have distinct meanings and cannot be swapped without changing the meaning of a sentence. Understanding the specific definition and context for each word is essential for correct usage.

Remembering máxima vs máximo

The fastest way to pick the right one every time.

  • Check the role first: if you need a noun, it's “máxima”; for an adjective, it's “máximo”.
  • See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “máxima” entry
  • Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list