apothegm
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of apothegm
First recorded in 1570–80; earlier apothegma, from Greek apóphthegma, equivalent to apophtheg- (variant stem of apophthéngesthai “to speak out”; apo- apo- + phthéngesthai “to speak”) + -ma noun suffix
Explanation
An apothegm is a short instructive saying that's easy to remember and sometimes even slightly witty, like "haste makes waste." An apothegm often expresses a fundamental truth or general rule. To correctly pronounce apothegm, put the accent on the first syllable and give it the short a sound, as in apple: "A-puh-them." It comes from the Greek word apophthegma, meaning "terse, pointed saying," derived from apo-, meaning "from," and phthengesthai, meaning "to utter."
Vocabulary lists containing apothegm
Poe's Favorite Words, collected by Charles Harrington Elster
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As the courtroom confrontation draws near, Mira offers another apothegm: “Rarely does a trial meticulously follow the script: it’s not a play where everyone on the stage knows their lines.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
On Saturday, Broner apologized for his language, invoking an apothegm of his own invention.
From The New Yorker ● Jan. 15, 2015
He was an apothegm slinger; he was unstoppable.
From New York Times ● Jul. 22, 2012
The Philip Green approach, "done and dusted, back to the beach", is not their style, any more than his apothegm: "I want to make a profit, not be a prophet."
From The Guardian ● Aug. 21, 2010
Mr. Verrinder rarely spoke at such length or with such apothegm.
From The Cup of Fury A Novel of Cities and Shipyards by Henry Raleigh
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
