minimal

[min-uh-muhl]

adjective

1. constituting a minimum.

   a minimal mode of transportation.

2. barely adequate or the least possible.

   minimal care.

   Synonyms: minimum, nominal

ˈminimal

/ ˈmɪnɪməl /

adjective

1. of the least possible; minimum or smallest

Other Word Forms

• minimally adverb
• nonminimal adjective
• subminimal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of minimal¹

First recorded in 1660–70; minim(um) + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Likely targets for lowered tariffs include other food items, textiles, or home goods where the U.S. is highly reliant on imports that have minimal strategic value, says Owen Tedford, an analyst at Beacon Policy Advisors.

Read more on Barron's

The details vary across accounts, but the themes are similar: late nights, late mornings, reduced ambition, minimal consumption, and a preference for privacy and virtual interactions.

Read more on MarketWatch

New York, Paris and Milan are among those that already charge a tourist tax, with research showing that reasonable fees have minimal impact on visitor numbers.

Read more on BBC

“With mortgage rates stubbornly elevated and affordability at multi-decade lows, the market appears to be settling into a new equilibrium of minimal price growth-or, in some regions, outright decline,” Godec said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Air taxi makers face the challenge of building a battery powerful enough to support back-to-back flights with minimal charging time.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• basic 
• essential 
• minimum 
• nominal 
• token