truism
C1Formal, academic, critical
Definition
Meaning
A statement that is obviously true and offers no new information, especially a clichéd or self-evident proposition.
An assertion of a fundamental, self-evident truth that is so widely accepted as to be considered banal or trivial. In rhetoric or philosophy, it can refer to a claim that is true by definition or by logical necessity, but often carries a connotation of being an empty platitude.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently carries a negative or dismissive connotation. It is not used to praise a statement's insightfulness but to critique its obviousness or lack of originality. The truth of the statement is not in doubt; its value or informativeness is.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition or core usage. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in a dry, understated critical tone in British English. American usage may be more direct in its dismissiveness.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both dialects. Slightly more common in written, analytical contexts than in casual speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
It is a truism that...The truism that...To state/utter/accept the truism that...go beyond mere truismVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[not idiom-prone; the word itself functions critically]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
"It's a truism that the customer is always right, but our data suggests a more nuanced reality."
Academic
The author critiques the sociological truism that poverty directly correlates with crime, presenting contradictory evidence.
Everyday
"Saying 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' is just a truism that isn't always helpful."
Technical
In formal logic, a truism may be considered a tautology—a statement true in all possible interpretations.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form. 'Truism' is exclusively a noun.]
American English
- [No standard verb form. 'Truism' is exclusively a noun.]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form.]
American English
- [No standard adverb form.]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective form. Use 'truistic' or 'self-evident'.] The argument was disappointingly truistic.
American English
- [No standard adjective form. Use 'truistic' or 'self-evident'.] His points were truistic and added little to the debate.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It is a truism that water is wet.
- The speaker kept repeating the old truism that 'practice makes perfect.'
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TRUE-ism'. It's a statement so obviously TRUE it's almost an 'ism' (a belief system), but one that's boring because everyone already knows it's true.
Conceptual Metaphor
INTELLECTUAL NOURISHMENT AS FOOD: A truism is 'empty calories' for the mind; it seems substantive but provides no real nutritional (informational) value.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'правда' (truth) which is neutral. 'Truism' is closer to 'банальность', 'избитая истина', or 'трюизм' (a direct loanword).
- Avoid translating as 'аксиома' unless in a strict philosophical/mathematical context, as 'аксиома' lacks the inherent negative connotation.
Common Mistakes
- Using it to mean a 'profound truth' (it means the opposite).
- Confusing it with 'truthism' or 'truthful'.
- Pronouncing it as /traʊ.ɪ.zəm/ (like 'trow'). Correct is /truː.ɪ.zəm/ (like 'true').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses the word 'truism' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. All truisms are technically true (factual), but not all facts are truisms. A 'truism' is a fact that is so obvious, well-known, or self-evident that stating it is considered clichéd or uninformative.
Rarely. Its default connotation is negative or dismissive, highlighting a lack of originality or depth. It might be used neutrally only in very specific academic contexts discussing logical tautologies.
They overlap significantly. A cliché is an overused phrase or idea, which may or may not be true. A truism is a self-evidently true statement, which has often become clichéd through overuse. 'It's raining cats and dogs' is a cliché but not a truism (it's metaphorical). 'Money can't buy happiness' is both a cliché and a truism.
Yes, it is most at home in formal, academic, journalistic, or critical writing and speech. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'that's obvious' or 'that's a cliché' rather than use the term 'truism'.