axiom
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for axiom, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A statement accepted as true without proof, used as a starting point from which other results are derived.
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 statement accepted as true without proof, used as a starting point from which other results are derived.
“Euclid built his geometry on five axioms.”
Opposites
How to Use Axiom
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Formal. The mathematical sense is technical and precise; the everyday sense is closer to a well-worn saying. The adjective is axiomatic.
Etymology
From Greek axioma 'that which is thought worthy or self-evident', from axios 'worthy'.
Full origin of axiom →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an axiom and a theorem?
An axiom is assumed without proof and forms the foundation of a system. A theorem is a statement proved by reasoning from the axioms. Mathematics works by keeping the axioms few and explicit, then deriving as much as possible from them.
What is the difference between an axiom and a hypothesis?
An axiom is adopted as a fixed starting point and is not tested within the system that uses it. A hypothesis is a provisional claim put forward precisely so it can be tested and possibly rejected.