axiom

Meaning

1. A seemingly self-evident or necessary truth which is based on assumption; a principle or proposition which cannot actually be proved or disproved.
2. A fundamental assumption that serves as a basis for deduction of theorems; a postulate (sometimes distinguished from postulates as being universally applicable, whereas postulates are particular to a certain science or context).
3. An established principle in some artistic practice or science that is universally received.

Synonyms

maxim

principle

self-evident truth

truism

postulate

adage

saying

dictum

dignity

doctrine

epigram

epigraph

formula

fundamentals

gnome

motto

office

🏢

ordinance

philosophy

phrase

precept

proverb

rationale

regulation

rule

sentence

standing joke

tenet

truth

expression

universal principle

aphorism

byword

capacity

catchword

commission

convention

Hyphenated as

ax‧i‧om

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈak.sɪ.əm/

Etymology

From Middle French axiome in the 15th century, from Latin axiōma (“axiom; principle”), from Ancient Greek ἀξίωμα (axíōma, “that which is thought to fit, a requisite, that which a pupil is required to know beforehand, a self-evident principle”), from ἀξιόω (axióō, “to think fit or worthy, to require, to demand”), from ἄξιος (áxios, “fit, worthy”, literally “weighing as much as; of like value”), from ἄγω (ágō, “to weigh (down)”).