optimal

adjective

op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
Synonyms of optimal
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
the optimal use of class time
the optimal dosage of medication for a patient
conditions for optimal development
optimality
ˌäp-tə-ˈma-lə-tē How to pronounce optimal (audio)
noun
optimally
ˈäp-tə-mə-lē How to pronounce optimal (audio)
adverb

Examples of optimal in a Sentence

He keeps his engine tuned for optimal performance. Under optimal conditions, these plants grow quite tall.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
They are known as optimal stopping problems, and at their heart sits a deceptively simple question. — Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Indeed, even for the most intrepid travelers, sitting in one place for over nine hours is far from optimal for the body—no matter which class your ticket is. — Sophia Dyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026 This doesn’t mean that a region’s optimal underground environment is always one that facilitates rapid decomposition. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 26 Aug. 2026 The timing is optimal since Bitcoin itself is beginning to recover. — Tony Zhang, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for optimal

Word History

Etymology

optim(um) + -al entry 1

First Known Use

1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of optimal was in 1890

Phrases Containing optimal

Browse Nearby Words

optimacy
optimal
optimalize
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Optimal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optimal. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Medical Definition

optimal

adjective
op·​ti·​mal ˈäp-tə-məl How to pronounce optimal (audio)
: most desirable or satisfactory : optimum
optimal concentrations of a drug
optimality
ˌäp-tə-ˈmal-ət-ē How to pronounce optimal (audio)
noun
plural optimalities
optimally
-mə-lē How to pronounce optimal (audio)
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on optimal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for optimal

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