What does maxim mean?
Word: Maxim
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Maxim means a short, well-known saying that gives a general truth or a rule for good behaviour.
Synonyms: saying, motto, adage
How do you spell maxim?
Syllables: max - im
Tricky part: The ending is -im, not -um or -em.
Watch out for: maxum, maxem
Memory tip: A maxim tells you how I'm meant to behave: its last two letters spell I'm without the apostrophe.
Maxim in a sentence
Example 1: Grandpa's favourite maxim is Waste not, want not.
Example 2: Our coach often repeats the maxim Look before you leap.
Example 3: The school motto is a maxim about kindness, painted above the main gate.
Fun Fact
Benjamin Franklin filled his yearly almanac with short maxims, among them the well-known one about going early to bed and getting up early.
Practise the CREST Way
Jumble Tumble
What is the meaning of the word that can be formed from the given letters?
ixmam
a) a small holiday home in the hills
b) the largest amount that is possible
c) a loud, sudden noise like a bang
d) a short saying that states a general truth
Show answer
d) a short saying that states a general truth. The five letters make the word for a wise saying; the other three meanings belong to other words.
Sound Check
In which word is 'x' pronounced differently?
a) taxi
b) exam
c) maxim
d) relax
Show answer
b) exam. In exam the x sounds like gz, but in maxim, taxi and relax it is a plain ks.
Word Puzzle
Match the words in the two lists:
1. maxim 2. blunder 3. feast a. banquet b. mistake c. proverb
a) 1-b, 2-c, 3-a
b) 1-c, 2-a, 3-b
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a
d) 1-a, 2-c, 3-b
Show answer
c) 1-c, 2-b, 3-a. Look for a partner with nearly the same meaning: maxim and proverb, blunder and mistake, feast and banquet.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) maksim
b) interim
c) trim
d) denim
Show answer
a) maksim. The saying word has an x in the middle, not ks.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which sentence below is a maxim?
a) Practice makes perfect.
b) The bus is late today.
c) My sister likes mangoes.
d) Please shut the door.
Show answer
a) Practice makes perfect.
2. People often repeat a maxim because it ____.
a) is a secret password for a club
b) gives useful advice in a few words
c) tells a long and funny story
d) is very difficult to understand
Show answer
b) gives useful advice in a few words
