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

Without proper circulation, harmful fungi have an optimal environment for invading your lawn. — David Beaulieu, The Spruce, 7 Nov. 2026

System integrates advanced sensors for optimal coverage The system integrates advanced sensors for optimal coverage including radars, sonars and electronic warfare systems. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026

Erin Mordecai with Stanford University co-authored a study published last year that found climate change increases the chance of temperatures reaching 84 degrees in more places, which is optimal for dengue transmissions. — Jessica Meszaros, Sun Sentinel, 6 Nov. 2026

Anderson’s boyfriend would call it an optimal level of optimism. — Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 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