German word

Maxime

Pronunciation

IPA/makˈsiːmə/

Meaning

  • feminine nounmaxim

Example

Er schrieb mehrere Maximen in sein Notizbuch.

He wrote several maxims in his notebook.

Illustration for Maxime (maxim)

More examples

Er handelte stets nach seiner Maxime.

He always acted according to his maxim.

Core concept

A short line kept in view as a guide for choices and conduct.

Common phrases

  • nach einer Maxime handeln

    act according to a maxim

  • eine Maxime formulieren

    formulate a maxim

  • seiner Maxime treu bleiben

    remain true to his maxim

Similar words

Grundsatz: A basic policy or belief adopted by a society or organization.
Regel: A specific rule to follow in daily life or at work.
Norm: A behavioral standard generally accepted by a society or group.
Prinzip: A basic idea used to understand matters or make judgments.

Definition in German

Eine kurze, allgemein formulierte Handlungsregel oder ein Leitprinzip, das als Richtschnur für Verhalten dient.

Word origin

German borrowed Maxime from French maxime, which developed from Latin maxima, the feminine form of maximus meaning 'greatest'.

Usage tips

  • Maxime is feminine, with die Maxime and the plural die Maximen; the word is more formal than everyday Regel.

Other meanings

  • principlenoun
  • mottonoun

Word lists with this word