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Synonyms

optimal

American  
[op-tuh-muhl] / ˈɒp tə məl /

adjective

  1. optimum.


optimal British  
/ ˈɒptɪməl /

adjective

  1. another word for optimum

"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

Other Word Forms

  • optimality noun
  • optimally adverb
  • superoptimal adjective

Etymology

Origin of optimal

First recorded in 1885–90; optim(um) + -al 1

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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.

They encourage future studies to focus on identifying "responders," determining optimal doses and food forms, and expanding the range of biomarkers examined.

From Science Daily

At the same time, New England’s journey to the Super Bowl was also helped by facing those teams at optimal moments.

From The Wall Street Journal

OceanX brought in Hollywood designers to make the ship telegenic, with a futuristic "mission control" and customisable lighting for optimal filming conditions.

From Barron's

"This carbohydrate bias, or the 'donut diet,' is optimal for populations of locusts and swarming grasshoppers," Cease says.

From Science Daily

He had a dream, and he had an optimal strategy for realizing it.

From The Wall Street Journal