aphorism

American  

[af-uh-riz-uhm] / ˈæf əˌrɪz əm /

noun

1. a terse saying embodying a general truth, or astute observation, as “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” (Lord Acton).

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aphorism British  

/ ˈæfəˌrɪzəm /

noun

1. a short pithy saying expressing a general truth; maxim

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aphorism Cultural  

1. A concise and often witty statement of wisdom or opinion, such as “Children should be seen and not heard,” or “People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.”

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Other Word Forms

• aphorismatic adjective
• aphorismic adjective
• aphorist noun

Etymology

Origin of aphorism

1520–30; French aphorisme < Late Latin aphorismus < Greek aphorismós definition, equivalent to aphor ( ízein ) to define ( aphorize ) + -ismos -ism

Example Sentences

Wordplay, aphorisms and bon mots were Stoppard’s signature.

From Los Angeles Times

Wittgenstein’s central thesis is bold and bracing, while his gnomic aphorisms invite multiple, contradictory interpretations.

From The Wall Street Journal

She had a wealth of Dale Carnegie-esque aphorisms to pump up her young charge, such as “put on your magic shoes,” or “Mind is in every cell of the body. Thoughts are everything.”

From Los Angeles Times

There’s another old aphorism about wealth, credited to the burlesque star and actress, Sophie Tucker.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• adage
• axiom
• dictum
• maxim
• proverb