Optimal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈäp-tə-məl/ op·ti·mal

Meaning & Definition of Optimal

Optimal (adjective)

  1. most desirable or satisfactory, optimum

Optimal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in optimum, exceptional

    similar: A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous, fantastic, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous, matchless, maximum, nifty, number one, optimum, outstanding, par excellence, peerless, preeminent, prime, sensational, special, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supreme, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unmatched, unparalleled, unsurpassed
    opposite: common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so, acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable, moderate, modest

Related Entry: Suboptimal (adjective)

Suboptimal is a different word from Optimal. The synonyms below are for suboptimal, not for optimal.

  1. falling short of a standard

    "yes, living on junk food generally means that you have a suboptimal diet"

    similar: bad, bastard, bush, bush-league, crummy, deficient, dissatisfactory, ill, inferior, lame, lousy, off, paltry, poor, punk, sour, subpar, substandard, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wack (slang), wanting, wretched, wrong, below par, from hunger
    related: abysmal, atrocious, awful, bitchin' (slang), brutal, damnable, deplorable, detestable, disastrous, dreadful, execrable, gnarly (slang), horrendous, horrible, pathetic, stinky, sucky (slang), terrible, unspeakable, defective, faulty, flawed, egregious, flagrant, gross, bum, cheesy, coarse, common, crappy (slang), cut-rate, junky, lesser, low-grade, low-rent, mediocre, miserable, reprehensible, rotten, rubbishy, second-rate, shoddy, sleazy, trashy, abominable, odious, vile, useless, valueless, worthless, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, meager, mean, miserly, scanty, shabby, short, skimp, skimpy, spare, stingy, miscreant, scurrilous, villainous, counterfeit, fake, phony, sham
    opposite: acceptable, adequate, all right, decent, fine, OK, passable, respectable, satisfactory, standard, tolerable
    near: classic, classical, A1, bang-up, banner, boss (slang), capital, choice, crackerjack, dandy, divine, excellent, fabulous, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, groovy, heavenly, high-test, jim-dandy, keen, marvelous, mean, neat, nifty, noble, par excellence, perfect, premium, prime, sensational, slick, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, wonderful, better, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, special, sufficient, average, borderline, fair, mediocre, middling, minimal, so-so, unexceptional, suitable, useful, worthy, gratifying, satisfying

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Optimal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Optimal:

A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous, fantastic, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous, matchless, maximum, nifty, number one, optimum, outstanding, par excellence, peerless, preeminent, prime, sensational, special, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supreme, swell, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, unmatched

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Optimal

Words with the opposite meaning of Optimal:

common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary, passable, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine, second-class, second-rate, so-so, acceptable, adequate, all right, alright, decent, OK, reasonable, satisfactory, sufficient, sufficing, tolerable, moderate, modest

Word Forms of Optimal

Derived words: optimality (noun), optimally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Optimal

optim(um) + -al:1

First known use: 1890

Words & Phrases Containing Optimal

suboptimal

Frequently Asked Questions about Optimal

What does "Optimal" mean?

"Optimal" means most desirable or satisfactory, optimum. As an adjective, it is defined as: most desirable or satisfactory, optimum.

What is another word for "Optimal"?

Other words for "Optimal" include A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional and exquisite. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Optimal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Optimal"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Optimal". Common alternatives include A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished, excellent, exceptional, exquisite, fabulous and fantastic.

What is the opposite of "Optimal"?

Antonyms of "Optimal" include common, fair, indifferent, mediocre, medium, middling, ordinary and passable.

Is "Optimal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Optimal" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Optimal"?

"Optimal" is pronounced /ˈäp-tə-məl/ and divided into syllables as op·ti·mal.

What is the origin of the word "Optimal"?

"Optimal" comes from optim(um) + -al:1. First known use: 1890.

What is another word for "Optimal" meaning "as in optimum, exceptional"?

When "Optimal" (adjective) means as in optimum, exceptional, synonyms include A1, capital, choice, classic, distinguished and excellent. Opposites in this sense include common, fair, indifferent and mediocre.