maxi

¹

[ mak-see ]

noun

, plural max·is.

1. maxiskirt.
2. a garment having a maxiskirt, as a coat.
3. of the length of a maxiskirt; having a maxiskirt.

maxi-

²

1. a combining form with the meanings “very large in comparison with others of its kind” ( maxi-budget; maxi-taxi ); “of great scope or intensity” ( maxi-devaluation; maxi-service ); (of clothing) “long, nearly ankle-length” ( maxicoat; maxiskirt ).

maxi

/ ˈmæksɪ /

adjective

1. 1. (of a garment) reaching the ankle
   2. ( as noun )

      she wore a maxi

   3. ( in combination )

      a maxidress

noun

1. a type of large racing yacht

Word History and Origins

Origin of maxi¹

1965–70; shortening of maxiskirt, or independent use of maxi-

Origin of maxi²

Shortening of maximal or maximum, by analogy with mini-

Word History and Origins

Origin of maxi¹

C20: shortened from maximum

Example Sentences

Then Dicky shows up, looking for a maxi-length white leather dress for his Indian lady friend.

From The Daily Beast

But even Cressy has to dress up some times, and when she does its either a simple white or black long maxi, or a colorful print.

From The Daily Beast

I was wearing a rather huge, billowy Maxi skirt and I must have lost track of exactly where it all was while on loo.

From The Daily Beast

Written on the 2nd of March by the hand of your good and loyal father, Maxi.'

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• preeminent
• transcendent
• utmost

Words That Use maxi-

What does maxi- mean?

Maxi– is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “very large” or “of great scope or intensity.” It is occasionally used in a variety of everyday terms, especially in fashion.

Maxi– comes from a shortening of maximal or maximum, meaning “greatest possible.” The word maximum comes from Latin maximus, the superlative form of magnus, meaning “great” or “large.” This Latin word is also related to the root of the terms maxim, “an expression of a general truth or principle,” and major “greater in size.” Learn more at our entries for maxim and major.

Examples of maxi-

A word that features the form maxi– is maxiskirt, “a long skirt or skirt part, as of a coat or dress, ending below the middle of the calf but above the ankle.”

As we know, maxi– means “very large.” The –skirt part of the word refers to a skirt. Maxiskirt literally means “very large skirt.”

What are some words that use the combining form maxi-?

• maxicoat
• maxidress

What are some other forms that maxi– may be commonly confused with?

• milli-
• mini-
• taxi-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters maxi-, such as maxilla or maximite, is necessarily using the combining form maxi– to denote “very large.” Learn why maxilla means “jawbone” at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

Given the meaning of the form maxi-, what is a maxidress?