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Synonyms

max

1 American  
[maks] / mæks /

noun

  1. maximum.

adjective

  1. maximum.

adverb

  1. maximally.

verb phrase

  1. max out

    1. to reach a point at which no more improvement, profit, or benefit can occur; level off.

      In her last job she maxed out at $25,000 a year.

    2. to reach the limit of one's capacity, endurance, etc..

      The sales department has maxed out and needs more personnel to call on new clients.

idioms

  1. to the max, to the greatest or furthest degree; totally.

    That book is disgusting to the max.
Max 2 American  
[maks] / mæks /

noun

  1. a male given name, form of Maximilian.

MAX 3 American  

abbreviation

Trademark.

  1. Cinemax: a cable television channel.

max. 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. maximum.

max 1 British  
/ mæks /

noun

  1. the most significant, highest, furthest, or greatest thing

  2. to the ultimate extent

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
max. 2 British  

abbreviation

  1. maximum

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of max

By shortening

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

If you’re already getting the full match, have you considered gradually increasing your contributions until you max them out?

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

I haven’t saved much for retirement over the past few years, so I immediately maxed out my IRA contribution for 2025 and plan to max out my IRA contribution for 2026 as well.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 16, 2026

"And now, in 20 days, we're able to complete the orders to fill our ship to max capacity and go to Venezuela and complete the orders right away."

From Barron's • Mar. 1, 2026

Now, they’ve lowered their sights to five years max.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 5, 2026

Definitely not this lobby bench that could seat two people max.

From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.