maximal

[mak-suh-muhl]

adjective

1. of or being a maximum; greatest possible; highest.

maximal

/ ˈmæksɪməl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or achieving a maximum; being the greatest or best possible

2. maths (of a member of an ordered set) being preceded, in order, by all other members of the set

Other Word Forms

• maximally adverb
• postmaximal adjective
• submaximal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maximal¹

First recorded in 1880–85; maxim(um) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

For this is experiential at its most maximal.

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His own style, which is to say his mind, was compulsively metaphorical, gorgeously maximal, enough so to make him worry about “an implicit marvelling at myself as expressor.”

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By Sunday afternoon, his legs were inflicting maximal damage.

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For Riley, “In C” launched a maximal musical journey and one of the most remarkable in American music.

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Beutler argued that Republicans always make maximal demands in these stand-offs, and over the years, they have repeatedly managed to get Democrats to back down.

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