Skip to main content
optimal

optimal

62 5.7
Best or most suitable for a particular situation
  • adjective
  • /ˈɑːptɪməl/
: óptimo
  • Through this process, various options will be eliminated until an optimal intervention is mutually agreed on.
  • optimal solution
  • optimal conditions
  • less than optimal

It gives you an optimal grip on the world.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • Learning experiences in mathematics need to incorporate content from the best research studies, stressing more optimal learner progress.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Help me to help other people live their best, optimal, healthiest life.

  • And this is like an optimal surface for this thing.

  • Natural is about what is optimal given the design.

  • And which of these three do you think represents the optimal value for money?

  • Circumstances were not optimal for the procedure.

  • But you will, with practice, learn to recognize the optimal point of progression.

  • You have to rotate every three minutes for optimal coverage.

  • That's what breast milk was designed for, to be the optimal choice to feed the child.

  • A soil pH of 6.5 is near the optimal range for most garden vegetables.

Synonyms

optimum
vsoptimal
31 5.1

Most suitable for a given situation

is the general term for most favourable under specific conditions
best
vsoptimal
6 1.0

Of the highest quality or most suitable in a situation

emphasises suitability under specific conditions rather than general highest quality

Antonyms

90 3.4

Not working well enough to give the wanted result

4 5.6

Less good than the best choice

Compounds

optimal plant growth
  • Specialized
3.9

Plants grow best when they get enough water, light, and nutrients

How Effective

perfect
∞ 1.0
optimal
62 5.7
effective
986 3.1
adequate
234 2.7
ineffective
90 3.4

Surface Forms

optimal positive
optimally positive

Morphology

optimal = optimum (transparent) = optimum + al

The adjective is a regular adjectival formation from 'optimum' with the productive suffix '-al', so the meaning is directly derived.

Etymology

Optimal comes from the Latin root optimus, which means 'best'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of choosing the 'best option', so optimal means the most suitable or effective choice in a situation.