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

Messi specializes in a game with adversarial settings with no single optimal play. — Bhaskar Chakravorti, Fortune, 25 July 2026

Organizations must move beyond traditional metrics, encouraging open dialogue about optimal working styles. — Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 25 July 2026

Recipe Tips for the Best Summer Soup The secret to this simple soup’s flavor is building layers with vegetables and cooking them each to their optimal texture. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 25 July 2026

Armas has tinkered with the lineup, continuously trying to figure out how to get his best attackers into optimal positions. — Pj Green july 24, Kansas City Star, 24 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