minimal

[ min-uh-muhl ]

adjective

1. constituting a minimum:

   a minimal mode of transportation.

2. barely adequate or the least possible:

   minimal care.

   Synonyms: minimum, nominal

ˈminimal

/ ˈmɪnɪməl /

adjective

1. of the least possible; minimum or smallest

Derived Forms

• ˈminimally, adverb

Other Words From

• mini·mal·ly adverb
• non·mini·mal adjective
• sub·mini·mal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minimal¹

First recorded in 1660–70; minim(um) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

"In some areas, the damage may be minimal, but in others, it could be disruptive. We're working to fill those gaps."

From Science Daily

While he’s charged officers in shootings far more frequently than his predecessors, those cases have often ended in acquittals, dismissals or plea deals with minimal jail time.

From Los Angeles Times

By default, Roblox users under the age of nine will only be able to access "minimal" or "mild" experiences - but parents can allow them to play "moderate" games by giving consent.

From BBC

However, the Mayan families still differed dramatically from European American families in maintaining harmony in their interactions with minimal conflict.

From Science Daily

This temperature reduction and humidity increase often offset each other, resulting in minimal change to the wet-bulb temperature, which is a measure of combined heat and humidity stress.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• basic
• essential
• minimum
• nominal
• token