optimal

adjective

op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
the optimal use of class time
the optimal dosage of medication for a patient
conditions for optimal development
optimality noun
optimally 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 Proteins Everyone with Crohn’s disease needs to take in optimal protein. Toby Amidor, Rd, Health, 23 Mar. 2024 This product contains the optimal 40:1 ratio of 2000 mg myoinositol and 50 mg d-chiro-inositol. Casey Seiden, Parents, 22 Mar. 2024 Saucony Men's Guide 16 Sneakers $140 $60 Another on-sale Saucony pick, the Men's Guide 16 Sneakers are up to 57 percent off and ready for action with their full-foot cushioning, which perfectly hugs your toes, arches, and heels for optimal support on long days on your feet. Aly Walansky, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024 But to be able to have certain spaces that have things that are really important to me is optimal to be able to really get creative, get work done, and feel inspired. Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024 One position in high demand is prompt engineer, who designs prompts and other processes to get optimal performance from generative AI tools, whether text or images. Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Crowe himself, as usual, is the best thing in the film, once again upgrading less than optimal material with his indelible screen presence. Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Mar. 2024 Though 2024 is an election year, which can divert attention to more headline-grabbing issues, my hope is the optimal care of cancer patients remains one that can garner grassroots enthusiasm and bipartisan support. Samyukta Mullangi, STAT, 1 Mar. 2024 Simple ways to start building an emergency fund While getting a low-cost loan to tide you over in a pinch may be a relief, not having to borrow at all is optimal. Jeanne Sahadi, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'optimal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

optim(um) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optimal was in 1890

Dictionary Entries Near optimal

Cite this Entry

“Optimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

optimal

adjective
op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
optimally adverb

Medical Definition

optimal

adjective
op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
optimal concentrations of a drug
optimality noun
plural optimalities
optimally adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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