# maxim

/ˈmæksəm/ (US) · /mˈæksɪm/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/maxim
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. a rule of conduct

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

a short, wise saying that gives advice on how you should act.

For teachers: a succinct statement of a moral principle or a rule of conduct.

- He lived his life by the maxim that you should treat others as you want to be treated.
- The CEO often quoted the maxim 'fail fast, learn faster' during quarterly meetings to encourage innovation among the staff.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'follow', 'live by', or 'quote'.

### 2. a general truth

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

a short sentence that expresses a basic truth about life or the world.

For teachers: a pithy expression of a general principle or self-evident truth.

- It is a common legal maxim that ignorance of the law is no excuse.
- The philosopher's work is built upon the maxim that all knowledge begins with the senses.

### 3. a type of machine gun

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Archaic

an early type of machine gun used in wars in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

For teachers: a recoil-operated machine gun, specifically the design patented by Hiram Maxim in 1884.

- The soldiers were trained to maintain the Maxim during the long trench battles.
- The introduction of the Maxim gun fundamentally altered infantry tactics during the late nineteenth-century colonial campaigns.

Usage: Usually capitalized as 'Maxim' when referring to the specific brand or inventor.

## Examples

- My favorite maxim is that less is more.
- The company operates under the maxim that the customer is always right, even when they are difficult.
- While the politician often quoted the maxim regarding honesty, his legislative record suggested a much more pragmatic and flexible approach to the truth.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.