Skip to main content
optimal

optimal

62 5.7
Best or most suitable for a particular situation
  • adjective
  • /ˈɑːptɪməl/
translation icon : 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.