SKIP TO CONTENT

optimal

/ˈɑptəməl/
/ˈɒptɪməl/
IPA guide

Something that's optimal is the best or most favorable for a given situation. Flowers? Check. Chocolates? Check. Dinner reservation? Check. Sounds like you have the optimal conditions for a successful anniversary date.

There's an implication with optimal that certain restrictions exist in a given situation, so that what is optimal isn't necessarily the ideal scenario — it's the best one given those limitations. For example, optimal population levels for a species are not the highest levels — instead they're the best levels that a particular environment can sustain. Often the word optimum is used interchangeably with optimal.

Definitions of optimal
  1. adjective
    most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied
    optimal concentration of a drug”
    synonyms: optimum
    best
    (superlative of `good') having the most positive qualities
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘optimal'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of gold-punch.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family