minimal

adjective

min·​i·​mal ˈmi-nə-məl 

1

: relating to or being a minimum: such as

a

: the least possible

a victory won with minimal loss of life

b

: barely adequate

a minimal standard of living

c

: very small or slight

a minimal interest in art

2

often Minimal : of, relating to, or being minimal art or minimalism

minimally

ˈmi-nə-mə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of minimal

• slightest
• minimum
• lowest
• smallest
• small

Examples of minimal in a Sentence

The storm caused minimal damage.

areas at minimal risk for flooding

Recent Examples on the Web

After a year of honeymoon spending —Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, trading for the bulk of Rafael Devers’ contract — the Giants’ 2026 pickups were a buffet of mid-tier, minimal-market, lets-take-a-low-stakes-gamble free agents. —Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2026

Prep is minimal and cleanup is almost nonexistent. —Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 18 Feb. 2026

New agentic plays and a sense that systems threats from LLMs are minimal may be more supportive of longer-term value. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 18 Feb. 2026

There are minimal products rather than a vast assortment. —Claire Peltier, ABC News, 18 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1666, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing minimal

• minimal art
• minimal brain dysfunction
• minimal pair
• sub-minimal

Kids Definition

minimal

adjective

min·​i·​mal ˈmin-ə-məl 

: relating to or being a minimum : least

minimally

-mə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

minimal

adjective

min·​i·​mal ˈmin-ə-məl 

: relating to or being a minimum : constituting the least possible with respect to size, number, degree, or certain stated conditions

tuberosity fractures heal with minimal … treatment

—J. S. Keene et al.

residents receive a minimal level of personal care

—A. S. Oser

side effects are minimal