2 syllables: max, ime. Stress on ime.
mak-SEEM
/mæˈksim/
maxime is pronounced mak-SEEM (/mæˈksim/). It has two syllables (max-ime), with the stress on "ime". Maxime is a proper noun used as a given name, notably in French-speaking contexts, though it also appears as a surname. It can function as a short form of Maximilian or as a standalone name. The term often conveys a personal identity rather than a semantic phrase, and pronunciation is influenced by French phonology, with stress typically on the final syllable in French usage and on the first syllable in some Anglophone contexts.
Maxime is a proper noun used as a given name, notably in French-speaking contexts, though it also appears as a surname. It can function as a short form of Maximilian or as a standalone name. The term often conveys a personal identity rather than a semantic phrase, and pronunciation is influenced by French phonology, with stress typically on the final syllable in French usage and on the first syllable in some Anglophone contexts.
"I met a writer named Maxime who specializes in historical fiction."
"The conference featured a keynote speaker called Maxime from Paris."
"Maxime is a stylish French name that sometimes appears in English-language novels."
In English contexts you’ll most commonly hear /ˈmæksɪm/ with stress on the first syllable and a short i in the second. If you’re respecting French usage, it’s /mak.sim/ with the final syllable slightly stressed and the vowel in the second syllable as a clear /i/; the e is silent in standard French. Mouth position: begin with the lip spread and a mid-open jaw for /æ/, then clamp the tongue for /k/ and finish with a crisp /s/ and the /ɪ/ or /i/ vowel depending on accent. IPA: US/UK/AU often /ˈmæksɪm/.”,
Common errors: 1) Over-anglicizing the second syllable to /iː/ as in ‘theme,’ producing /ˈmæksˌiːm/. 2) Slurring the /ks/ cluster into /k1s/ or misplacing /k/ and /s/ with weak separation, giving /mæksɪm/ but with a soft k-s link. Correction: keep /ks/ as a tight cluster, pause slightly between /æ/ and /ks/. Practice with minimal pairs like /mæks/ vs /mæs/ to train the cluster. 3) Stress misplacement when attempting French pronunciation; typically in US English you should stress the first syllable.
US English: /ˈmæksɪm/ with strong initial stress and a short /ɪ/ in the second syllable. UK English generally mirrors US slightly, but you may hear a reduced /ɪ/ or even /ə/ in fast speech. Australian English tends to be flatter vowels, with a closer /ɪ/ and often a more centralized vowel in the second syllable; the /æ/ vowel in the first syllable remains similar. In French contexts, it’s /mak.sim/ with a more even syllable length and a silent final e.
Difficulties come from the consonant cluster /ks/ in the middle and the potential for different stress patterns across languages. In French, /mak.sim/ has a short, crisp vowel in the first syllable and a strong final /im/; Anglophone listeners may misplace stress or mispronounce the final vowel. The vowel quality shift from short /æ/ to /æɪ/ or /eɪ/ can complicate perception. Focus on keeping the /k/ and /s/ distinct and avoid over-lengthening the second vowel.
Yes, many searchers wonder whether the e at the end is silent or pronounced. In French, the final -e is not pronounced; the name ends with an /im/ sound. In English contexts, you typically hear a final /m/ with a short /ɪ/ or /i/ depending on speaker. This yields either /mak.sim/ (French-like) or /ˈmæksɪm/ (English). Another unique aspect is the French tendency to stress the last syllable, contrasting with the common English stress on the first syllable.
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Maxime is derived from the Latin name Maximus, meaning 'greatest' or 'the greatest.' In French, the name Maxime is a masculine given name formed with the suffix -ime, cognate with Maximilian and related to the Latin maximus. The root maxim- appears in Latin as a superlative of magnus (great). The name entered French usage in medieval times as a standalone given name and occasionally as a surname. In English-speaking regions, Maxime is often used by individuals of French origin or influence, and its pronunciation is typically adapted to local phonology. The first known uses in Latin appear in classical texts, with the name spread through Christian and royal lineages in Europe. Over centuries, the name has retained its association with leadership and greatness, embedding itself in modern naming conventions while preserving distinct pronunciation in different languages and dialects.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "maxime" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "maxime" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "maxime"
-ime sounds
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