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maxi

1 American  
[mak-see] / ˈmæk si /

noun

plural

maxis

  1. maxiskirt.

  2. a garment having a maxiskirt, as a coat.

  3. of the length of a maxiskirt; having a maxiskirt.

maxi- 2 American  

  1. a combining form with the meanings “very large in comparison with others of its kind” (maxi-budget; maxi-taxi ); “of great scope or intensity” (maxi-devaluation; maxi-service ); (of clothing) “long, nearly ankle-length” (maxicoat; maxiskirt ).

maxi British  
/ ˈmæksɪ /

adjective

    1. (of a garment) reaching the ankle

    2. ( as noun )

      she wore a maxi

    3. ( in combination )

      a maxidress
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a type of large racing yacht

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Usage

What does maxi- mean? Maxi- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “very large” or "of great scope or intensity." It is occasionally used in a variety of everyday terms, especially in fashion. Maxi- comes from a shortening of maximal or maximum, meaning "greatest possible." The word maximum comes from Latin maximus, the superlative form of magnus, meaning "great" or "large." This Latin word is also related to the root of the terms maxim, "an expression of a general truth or principle," and major “greater in size.” Learn more at our entries for maxim and major.

Etymology

Origin of maxi1

1965–70; shortening of maxiskirt, or independent use of maxi-

Origin of maxi-2

Shortening of maximal or maximum, by analogy with mini-

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.

Dries van Noten's Julian Klausner paid homage to the 1990s/early noughties with his maxi denim skirts with the must-have high split.

From BBC • Mar. 10, 2026

“We tell folks if you’re soaking through a maxi pad, two, in an hour to two hours, they should seek help.”

From Salon • Mar. 20, 2024

The so-called black embellished mesh backless high neck maxi dress is listed for $125 on the PrettyLittleThing website.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2023

Ms. Tillman, the aspiring equine veterinarian from Detroit, eventually replaced the helmet she’d stuffed with maxi pads with a new one, cutting pieces of the lining out until it nestled comfortably on her head.

From New York Times • Mar. 3, 2023

Maddie came and sat by me, sweeping her fuchsia maxi dress under her.

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

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.