axiom
An axiom is a statement or proposition that is regarded as being established, accepted, or self-evidently true. In logic and mathematics, it serves as the starting point or foundation for further reasoning and arguments without requiring proof itself.
Examples
3 of 5It is a common axiom that you get what you pay for.
It is a widely accepted truth that the quality of a product corresponds to its price.
The legal system is built upon the axiom that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
The judiciary operates on the fundamental principle that guilt must be demonstrated, not assumed.
You know the old axiom: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
You are familiar with the common saying that one shouldn't change something that is working well.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Ax' - an axiom is a sharp, solid truth that cuts through the need for further proof.
Quick Quiz
The entire philosophical system was built upon a single _____: that the mind is separate from the body.
Correct!
The correct answer is: axiom
Examples
It is a common axiom that you get what you pay for.
everydayIt is a widely accepted truth that the quality of a product corresponds to its price.
The legal system is built upon the axiom that a person is innocent until proven guilty.
formalThe judiciary operates on the fundamental principle that guilt must be demonstrated, not assumed.
You know the old axiom: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
informalYou are familiar with the common saying that one shouldn't change something that is working well.
Euclidean geometry starts from a set of five fundamental axioms.
academicThe study of Greek geometry begins with five basic propositions that are assumed to be true.
The company's marketing strategy relies on the axiom that the customer's needs always come first.
businessThe business plan is based on the core belief that prioritizing the client is essential for success.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
take as an axiom
To assume something is true from the very beginning of a discussion.
central axiom
The most important principle in a particular philosophy or system.
accepted axiom
A principle that is universally agreed upon by experts in a field.
Often Confused With
An axiom is assumed to be true without proof, while a theorem must be proven using axioms.
An adage is a traditional folk saying, whereas an axiom is a more formal, logical, or scientific principle.
Usage Notes
Axiom is typically used in formal, academic, or philosophical contexts. It implies a higher degree of certainty and logical structure than words like 'saying' or 'opinion'.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use 'axiom' when they mean 'hypothesis'; however, a hypothesis is something to be tested, while an axiom is something already accepted as true.
Memory Tip
Think of an 'Ax' - an axiom is a sharp, solid truth that cuts through the need for further proof.
Word Origin
From the Greek word 'axioma', meaning 'that which is thought worthy' or 'a self-evident principle'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In Western philosophy, the search for 'first axioms' has been a central goal since the time of Aristotle and Euclid.
Quick Quiz
The entire philosophical system was built upon a single _____: that the mind is separate from the body.
Correct!
The correct answer is: axiom
Related Vocabulary
Related Words
monocredive
C1Describing a mindset or system that relies exclusively on a single source of belief, truth, or authority. It is often used to characterize psychological or social structures where alternative perspectives are systematically ignored or rejected.
macrodentity
C1To define, classify, or characterize an entity or group based on broad, large-scale structural or systemic features rather than individual traits. It involves assigning a collective identity to a subject within a wider sociological or global framework.
interducdom
C1The state, status, or collective realm of introductory elements or transitional preliminaries. It refers to the transitional period or condition of something that has been recently introduced but is not yet fully established or advanced.
circumtempsion
C1To strategically bypass or maneuver around a specific deadline or time constraint by exploiting administrative technicalities or scheduling nuances. This verb describes the act of intentionally creating a temporal delay to avoid immediate obligations.
unflexhood
C1The state or condition of being inflexible, unyielding, or resistant to change in one's mindset, physical form, or behavior. It often characterizes a persistent rigidity that prevents adaptation to new circumstances or perspectives.
prevercy
C1The state or quality of being prior or taking precedence in order, time, or importance. It refers to a condition where one element must be addressed, considered, or completed before others due to its status or inherent necessity.
addictence
C1Describing a state of inherent habit-formation or the quality of being compulsively dependent on a substance or activity. It characterizes both the psychological predisposition toward dependency and the property of an external stimulus to trigger such a state.
abfactly
C1To derive or isolate core factual components from a complex narrative or dataset by stripping away subjective interpretation. This process is used specifically to reach an objective conclusion from qualitative or cluttered information.
transvadtion
C1To bridge or synthesize distinct theoretical frameworks, data sets, or systems into a singular, functional model. It involves the active process of integrating disparate elements to achieve structural or conceptual unity.
hyperterrful
C1Describes something that is excessively terrifying or causing an overwhelming sense of dread, often due to its vast scale or intense nature. It is typically used to describe situations or environments that evoke a profound, almost paralyzing fear.
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