Aphorism: meaning, definitions and examples

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aphorism

 

[ หˆรฆfษ™หŒrษชzษ™m ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

short saying

A pithy observation that contains a general truth, such as 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Aphorisms are often witty and memorable.

Synonyms

adage, maxim, saying.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
aphorism

Used in intellectual or philosophical discussions to denote a concise, clever statement that expresses a general truth or principle.

  • He began his speech with a well-known aphorism: 'Knowledge is power.'
  • One of Einstein's famous aphorisms is, 'Imagination is more important than knowledge.'
adage

Used in everyday conversation or writing to refer to a traditional saying that expresses a common experience or observation.

  • 'Actions speak louder than words' is an old adage that many people believe in.
  • There's an adage that goes, 'A penny saved is a penny earned.'
maxim

Often used in philosophical or moral discussions to refer to a general rule or principle, especially one that guides behavior or ethical conduct.

  • His life was guided by the maxim 'Honesty is the best policy.'
  • In her teachings, she often cited the maxim, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.'
saying

A casual term used in everyday language to refer to a short, commonly known phrase or expression that conveys an idea or belief.

  • There's an old saying that goes, 'The early bird catches the worm.'
  • 'When it rains, it pours,' is a saying that means bad things often happen all at once.

Examples of usage

  • A good aphorism can capture the essence of a complex idea in just a few words.
  • Benjamin Franklin was known for his many aphorisms, such as 'Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.'

Translations

Translations of the word "aphorism" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น aforismo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคธเฅ‚เค•เฅเคคเคฟ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Aphorismus

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ aforisme

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฐั„ะพั€ะธะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ aforyzm

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่ญฆๅฅ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท aphorisme

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ aforismo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท รถzdeyiลŸ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๊ฒฝ๊ตฌ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุญูƒู…ุฉ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aforismus

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ aforizmus

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๆ ผ่จ€

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ aforizem

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ spakmรฆli

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐั„ะพั€ะธะทะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒคแƒแƒ แƒ˜แƒ–แƒ›แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ aforizm

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ aforismo

Etymology

The term 'aphorism' comes from the Greek word 'aphorismos', which means 'definition'. Aphorisms have been used in literature and philosophy for centuries to convey profound insights and wisdom in a concise and memorable way. Writers like Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, and Friedrich Nietzsche have all contributed famous aphorisms to the English language.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,545, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.