Axiom
Word of the Day
What is Axiom?
noun
A statement or principle that is accepted as true without controversy or question.
Pronunciation
Why This Word?
Chosen to honor the quiet power of principles — those truths we rarely question, yet build everything upon.
Examples of Use
Here's how this word appears in everyday language:
In mathematics, an axiom is a basic assumption on which the rest of the system is built.
She lived by the axiom that honesty is always the best policy.
Philosophers debate whether morality can be grounded in a single axiom.
Word Origins
Greek axiōma meaning “that which is worthy” or “self-evident truth”
Derived from axios (worthy); used by Euclid to describe the unprovable truths of geometry.
First appearance in English: late Middle English
Word Family
Related forms of this word:
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Noun:
The scientist proposed a postulate that formed the basis of the new theory.
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Noun:
The principle of equality guided the constitution’s design.
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Noun:
The argument is flawed because the premise is shaky.
Around the World
How this word appears in other languages:
- Spanish: axioma
- French: axiome
- German: Axiom
- Italian: assioma
- Portuguese: axioma
If you Already Know This Word
If you've mastered this word, try these more advanced alternatives:
Postulate
“Postulate” is a proposed assumption, often debated; “axiom” is a settled foundation.
Theorem
A “theorem” is proven based on axioms; an “axiom” is taken as true without proof.
Dogma
“Dogma” implies enforced belief; “axiom” is reason-based and accepted by consensus.
Fun Facts
- The parallel postulate — one of Euclid’s axioms — led to the discovery of non-Euclidean geometries centuries later.
- In computer science, axioms define behaviors in formal logic and programming language semantics.
Cultural Usage
- Euclid’s Elements begins with five axioms that form the basis of classical geometry.
- The Enlightenment focused on axioms of reason, such as Descartes’ “I think, therefore I am.”
Common Mistakes
Often confused with “theorem” or “hypothesis”; an “axiom” is not proven — it is assumed.
Micro Story
The axiom that all humans deserve dignity underpins every major human rights declaration.