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max

1 American  
[maks] / mæks /

noun

  • maxes
    plural
  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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

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.

See Examples For:

“It’s actually impostor syndrome to the max and really terrifying, but I know what this film is. I’ve watched it 100 times in my head.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 12, 2026

One common way to measure cardiorespiratory fitness is through VO2 max, which refers to the highest rate at which the body can take in and use oxygen during intense exercise.

From Science Daily Aug. 8, 2026

If they won't accept £70m max then move on to someone else.

From BBC Aug. 5, 2026

The $14,000 microcar can max out at 25 miles an hour.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 7, 2026

In a brownstone you either own the whole house like us, or the floors are split between two other families—three, max.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

"Going into Parabolica, Max just slammed on the brakes and didn't want to be the lead car," Russell said.

From BBC Sep. 5, 2026

Russia’s civil aviation regulator has posted news of temporary closures on messaging platforms such as Telegram and Russia’s state-backed Max, forgoing formal alerts known as a Notice to Airmen.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 4, 2026

The race was unique in that it owed its existence to the popularity of one driver - Max Verstappen.

From BBC Sep. 1, 2026

And maybe Max Muncy, if they pitch to him.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 30, 2026

He and his friend Max Brod did the full Mona Lisa tour: they stared at the blank wall and then they went to a silent comic film on the theft.

From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day

And while Boeing initially seemed chastened in its behavior, Kennedy said that after the MAX planes got approved, “they seemed to revert right back to their old ways.”

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 19, 2026

“This issue has not been observed on the 737 MAX fleet, but Boeing extended the inspections to 737 MAX airplanes as the model shares a similar design and build process,” the spokesperson said.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 7, 2026

The MAX 7, the smallest in the family, finally won FAA certification this week after years of delays following two MAX 8 fatal crashes.

From The Wall Street Journal Aug. 7, 2026

Boeing in July unveiled a new MAX production line in Everett, Washington that is expected to enable the MAX program to meet 52 airplanes per month.

From Barron's Aug. 3, 2026

Armpit studied the knobs, then turned the air conditioner to MAX.

From "Small Steps" by Louis Sachar

Jason's post, written alongside his brother Paul, said they will take comfort in "knowing that he lived life to the max. Knowing that in life it's either a daring adventure or nothing at all!"

From BBC Jul. 19, 2026

"I work out so much, like, about one minute a day, max. If I'm lucky," Trump said before signing the proclamation in the Oval Office.

From Barron's May 5, 2026

“We have max. 1 wolf turn per routine now, but hear me out: max. 1 wolf turn per country,” suggested another.

From Salon Aug. 5, 2024

Then-Dodgers infielder Justin Turner added of Ireton: “Everything he does is the max. He’s out there power shagging, trying to make plays and slide catches. It’s been fun to have him on the team.”

From Los Angeles Times Mar. 27, 2024

“Mr. Jackson said I should get as many as I can, no max. But I’m aiming for at least a hundred.”

From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez

Instead of one rep maxes, it’s about how many reps you can do.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 13, 2026

The overtime deduction maxes out at $12,500 for individuals and $30,000 for married couples.

From MarketWatch Apr. 15, 2026

Due to mainstream media coverage, he argued, “an idea can become potent through its rapid depiction in culture—including in articles such as this one, which maxes maxxing even as it attempts to minimize it, somewhat.”

From Salon Apr. 6, 2026

While premiums have gone up in recent years, and coverage maxes out at $250,000, the program still constitutes a security blanket on Florida’s Gulf Coast, where coverage rates are high.

From Slate Oct. 9, 2024

Overcrowding in the Department had led to the start of double-bunking in maxes a few months before.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover

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