optimal
English meaning: Optimal
Definition
The best of its kind
Example
“The plants grow best under optimal light and temperature.”
Another example: “The algorithm searches for the optimal route between the two cities.”
Usage — When, Where & How
An adjective meaning best or most favourable ('optimal conditions', 'optimal performance'); also used as a noun for the best value. Formal to technical register, common in science, maths, and business. Compare 'optimum'.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'optimus' (best) plus '-al'; popularised in English scientific writing in the late 19th and 20th centuries.
Related Words
- optimization
- foraging
- algorithm
- solution
- optimum
- algorithms
- approximation
- maximize
- allocation
- polynomial
Common Collocations
- optimal conditions
- optimal performance
- optimal solution
- optimal level
- optimal use
- achieve optimal
Word Forms
optimum (n/adj); optimal (adj); optimally (adv); optimize (v)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B