minimal

[ min-uh-muhl ]

/ ˈmɪn ə məl /

adjective

constituting a minimum: a minimal mode of transportation.

barely adequate or the least possible: minimal care.

Nearby words

minikin, minilab, minilaparotomy, minim, minima, minimal, minimal art, minimal brain dysfunction, minimal dose, minimal infecting dose, minimal lethal dose

Origin of minimal

First recorded in 1660–70; minim(um) + -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR minimal

2 nominal, minimum.

Related forms

min·i·mal·ly, adverbnon·min·i·mal, adjectivesub·min·i·mal, adjective

Can be confused

minimal minimize minimum minuscule minutia (see usage note at minuscule)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for minimally

Modern medications—from opiates to steroids to neuro-implants—are, at best, minimally effective.
Longtime Sufferers of Cluster Headaches Find Relief in Psychedelics|Valerie Vande Panne|February 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Glick, Tobin and Koplow see these all as either totally wrong-headed criticisms or so minimally problematic as to be negligible.
Is The Israeli Press Only "Partly Free"?|Ali Gharib|May 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
This week, I tried a new, minimally invasive procedure called Evolastin.
Hey, Ashley Judd: I’m Puffy From Cosmetic Surgery—And Proud of It|Samantha Marshall|April 14, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Elegant, minimally clad mannequins view passersby with an arrogant mien.
Gay Syrian Blogger a Hoax?|Asne Seierstad|June 6, 2011|DAILY BEAST

It was one of many two-story homes on that block, with trees and minimally manicured lawns.
The Serial Killer Victim's Secret Life|Christine Pelisek, Roja Heydarpour|April 24, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Within such a pragmatic framework, education and the sharing of experience were minimally differentiated from each other.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
Index was minimally checked for accuracy of page references and consistency with spellings in referenced pages.
South America Observations and Impressions|James Bryce
Historic and systematic aspects of functional illiteracy, as well as language degradation, are minimally addressed.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin
I understand that, minimally, you will include clear notation that the book is copyrighted by the copyright holder, which is me.
Definition & Reality in the General Theory of Political Economy|Thomas Colignatus

British Dictionary definitions for minimally

minimal

/ (ˈmɪnɪməl) /

adjective

of the least possible; minimum or smallest

Derived Forms

minimally, adverb

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