aphorism
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of aphorism
1520–30; French aphorisme < Late Latin aphorismus < Greek aphorismós definition, equivalent to aphor ( ízein ) to define ( see aphorize) + -ismos -ism
Explanation
Use the noun aphorism when you have something compact and astute to say, such as "People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones." An aphorism is a statement or saying that is both efficiently presented and either witty or wise. While there are loads of trite and silly statements, a good aphorism is supposed to stand the test of time and remain true and elegant — a very difficult task! Friedrich Schlegel even wrote an aphorism about aphorisms: "An aphorism ought to be entirely isolated from the surrounding world like a little work of art and complete in itself like a hedgehog."
Vocabulary lists containing aphorism
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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Tuesdays with Morrie
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The AP English Exam: Rhetorical and Literary Terms 2
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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.
See Examples For:
He endorses an aphorism from Arrigo Sacchi, a legendary Italian manager, who described soccer as “the most important of the least important things.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
The business of America is mainly business, according to the aphorism attributed to President Calvin Coolidge.
From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026
I have another aphorism, this one related to automobiles, to keep in mind when planning your retirement: “Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear.”
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 5, 2026
In an aphorism sometimes attributed to Leo Tolstoy, sometimes to John Gardner, all literature relies on one of two plots: A person goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town.
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2025
Always, previously, in an emergency we could throw out something in Greek, under the guise of an aphorism or quotation.
From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt
She claims to inhabit the soul of Albert Camus, and flings around aphorisms about art that fly over Cricket’s head.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 8, 2026
Wittgenstein’s aphorisms sparkle, but he recognized he overused them, admitting that “raisins may be the best part of a cake; but a bag of raisins is not better than a cake.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 18, 2025
Mostly, it’s a bunch of well-trodden aphorisms, including “Don’t think, just jump,” “Have faith,” and “There’s darkness before the dawn.”
From Slate ● Apr. 23, 2024
With commanding aphorisms and adages, Kalunga tempers Zau’s need for immediate answers.
From New York Times ● Apr. 22, 2024
I had prepared myself for that, and even thought of several positive, uplifting aphorisms to cheer him up.
From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles
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.
