optimal

adjective

op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl 

: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum

the optimal use of class time

the optimal dosage of medication for a patient

conditions for optimal development

optimality

ˌäp-tə-ˈma-lə-tē 

noun

optimally

ˈäp-tə-mə-lē 

adverb

Examples of optimal in a Sentence

He keeps his engine tuned for optimal performance.

Under optimal conditions, these plants grow quite tall.

Recent Examples on the Web

The optimal times to use hair oil are before washing your hair or after a blow-dry. — Ariana Yaptangco, Glamour, 5 July 2026

Advanced spatial processing and virtual monitoring capabilities allow checking mixes across various playback systems, ensuring optimal translation. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Three months ago Naval Group revealed that the agreement between the Indonesian Ministry of Defence and the Naval Group–PT PAL consortium ensures optimal collaboration. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 4 July 2026

But once sinking below an optimal altitude of about 185 miles (300 kilometers) above Earth, Swift is likely to reenter our planet’s atmosphere this fall, according to NASA’s predictions. — Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

optim(um) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing optimal

• sub-optimal

Kids Definition

optimal

adjective

op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl 

: optimum entry 2

optimally

-mə-lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

optimal

adjective

op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl 

: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum

optimal concentrations of a drug

optimality

ˌäp-tə-ˈmal-ət-ē 

noun

plural optimalities

optimally

-mə-lē 

adverb