adjective
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of, relating to, or resembling an aphorism
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tending to write or speak in aphorisms
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of aphoristic
From the Greek word aphoristikós, dating back to 1745–55. See aphorist, -ic
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.
Kate Riley follows Ruth from childhood to middle age, writing with kindness, hilarity and aphoristic brilliance about this eccentric woman, a lost lamb who never actually leaves the safety of the flock.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 3, 2025
That’s nothing new: For decades, Davis has specialized in aphoristic stories that thrive on wordplay, rhythm and irony while avoiding easy sarcasm or dad jokes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2023
Others thought Nietzsche’s aphoristic style—full of concise, powerful quotes like “Become who you are” and “What does not kill me makes me stronger”—would work really well on TikTok.
From Slate ● Mar. 14, 2022
Then she’d give me some sage, aphoristic advice.
From Washington Post ● Sep. 30, 2021
If Beethoven ever looked into his works, he cannot be said to have read them; they were too aphoristic and enigmatical for his taste.
From Life of Beethoven by Anton Schindler
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.
