aphoristic

American  

[af-uh-ris-tik] / ˌæf əˈrɪs tɪk /

adjective

1. of, like, or containing aphorisms.

   His sermons were richly aphoristic.

2. given to making or quoting aphorisms.

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aphoristic British  

/ ˌæfəˈrɪstɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling an aphorism

2. tending to write or speak in aphorisms

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Other Word Forms

• aphoristically adverb
• nonaphoristic adjective
• nonaphoristically adverb

Etymology

Origin of aphoristic

From the Greek word aphoristikós, dating back to 1745–55. See aphorist, -ic

Example Sentences

Kate Riley follows Ruth from childhood to middle age, writing with kindness, hilarity and aphoristic brilliance about this eccentric woman, a lost lamb who never actually leaves the safety of the flock.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 3, 2025

That’s nothing new: For decades, Davis has specialized in aphoristic stories that thrive on wordplay, rhythm and irony while avoiding easy sarcasm or dad jokes.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2023

All became the grist for her dark satire, laced with wry, aphoristic asides on the human condition.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2023

Then she’d give me some sage, aphoristic advice.

From Washington Post • Sep. 30, 2021

He understood that her playfulness did but conceal fine qualities of character that would have pleased even the aphoristic moralist, whose conception of the ideal woman she mercilessly outraged.

From Cleo The Magnificent Or, the Muse of the Real by Zangwill, Louis