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

When a child first becomes nearsighted is when their vision is changing the fastest and their eye is growing most rapidly, Berntsen said, and that would be the optimal moment to slow progression if possible. —Jacqueline Howard, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025

The team says mixing different types of halide perovskites can mitigate this issue, but a deeper knowledge of these constituent materials is essential for optimal control. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 25 Sep. 2025

Computing the most optimal trajectories for one robot is relatively simple. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025

Tesla car ownership requires battery maintenance knowledge for safe and optimal performance. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 24 Sep. 2025

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