aphorism
7 synonyms for aphorism, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A short, memorable saying that states a general truth.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A short, memorable saying that states a general truth.
“'Less is more' is an aphorism many designers like to quote.”
How to use aphorism
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
It is a somewhat literary word, more often written than spoken.
Etymology
The word came into Late Middle English from Middle French, from Medieval Latin, from Ancient Greek aphorismós, meaning limitation, distinction or definition. That Greek word comes from a verb meaning to mark off a boundary or to define.
Full origin of aphorism →