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

Inside, there’s a middle rack that can be placed in nine different positions for optimal loading capacity. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

Langstroth’s design maintained an optimal 8 mm gap between frames to prevent bees from fusing them together. —Literary Hub, 27 May 2026

In a separate Leadership IQ study of 32,410 employees, the optimal amount of time with the boss turned out to be about six hours a week, the point where people were most inspired, engaged, and motivated. —Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026

Many patients with keratoconus need specialized contact lenses to achieve optimal vision, even after treatment. —Neelam Patadia, The Conversation, 27 May 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