Skip to main content

noun

maxim

a saying that is widely accepted on its own merits

In a sentence

Six example sentences with maxim, each labelled with its topic.

  • Measure twice, cut once is the sort of maxim nobody argues with because experience keeps proving it.

    Philosophy

  • Hire slowly and fire quickly became a maxim in that office, printed on a card above the copier.

    Business

  • Salt as you go, not at the end, is a maxim every line cook repeats to new hires.

    Cooking

  • Buy low and sell high is a maxim every investor repeats and almost nobody manages to follow.

    Finance

  • Ignorance of the law is no excuse remains a maxim that judges cite whenever a defendant claims not to have known.

    Law

  • Defense wins championships is a maxim the coach paints on the locker room wall before every playoff run.

    Basketball

Study maxim until you keep it

Learn English words in sentences about topics you pick, with a quick quiz. With an account, words come back for review.

Found in these word lists

Found in 5 published word listsRecognized

Each source is a published word list that contains maxim. No exam board publishes an official GRE, GMAT or SAT list; GMAT words come from GRE lists and the Academic Word List.