Synonyms

optimize

American

[op-tuh-mahyz] / ˈɒp təˌmaɪz /

especially British, optimise

verb (used with object)

optimized, optimizing

to make as effective, perfect, or useful as possible.
to make the best of.
Computers. to write or rewrite (the instructions in a program) so as to maximize efficiency and speed in retrieval, storage, or execution.
Mathematics. to determine the maximum or minimum values of (a specified function that is subject to certain constraints).

verb (used without object)

optimized, optimizing

to be optimistic.

optimize British

/ ˈɒptɪˌmaɪz /

verb

(tr) to take the full advantage of
(tr) to plan or carry out (an economic activity) with maximum efficiency
(intr) to be optimistic
(tr) to write or modify (a computer program) to achieve maximum efficiency in storage capacity, time, cost, etc
(tr) to find the best compromise among several often conflicting requirements, as in engineering design

"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

optimization noun

Etymology

Origin of optimize

First recorded in 1835–45; optim(um) + -ize

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.

The deeper risk is that we may be optimizing the wrong thing by improving algorithms while leaving the underlying computational ontology unchanged.

From Science Daily

By optimizing traffic flow and reducing the need for parking, autonomous vehicles could help reshape urban centers into denser, more walkable communities.

From MarketWatch

We spent five years turning every conversation into a podcast, and now we’re slicing all media into 30-second hooks optimized for spectacle and attention.

From The Wall Street Journal

The entrepreneur earlier this year used his own money to launch Lorelight, a tool designed to optimize the presence of brands in LLM results.

From The Wall Street Journal

The meeting emphasized the need to boost domestic consumption and optimize trade-in programs, they note.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023