optimal

American  

[op-tuh-muhl] / ˈɒp tə məl /

adjective

1. optimum.

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optimal British  

/ ˈɒptɪməl /

adjective

1. another word for optimum

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• optimally
  adverb
• optimality
  noun
• superoptimal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of optimal

First recorded in 1885–90; optim(um) + -al ¹

Compare meaning

How does optimal compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• optimum vs. optimal

Explanation

Something that's optimal is the best or most favorable for a given situation. Flowers? Check. Chocolates? Check. Dinner reservation? Check. Sounds like you have the optimal conditions for a successful anniversary date. There's an implication with optimal that certain restrictions exist in a given situation, so that what is optimal isn't necessarily the ideal scenario — it's the best one given those limitations. For example, optimal population levels for a species are not the highest levels — instead they're the best levels that a particular environment can sustain. Often the word optimum is used interchangeably with optimal.

Related Words

• excellent