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optimum

UK/ˈɒptɪməm/US/ˈɑptɪməm/
adjectiveB2+Occasional — familiar, but not everyday · #9,775 of 15,258leans written

Optimum means the best possible in the circumstances. Optimum conditions, the optimum temperature, optimum performance.

It implies a trade-off: an optimum is the best balance rather than the most of anything, which is why an optimum temperature is not the highest. The plural is optima, and optimal means the same as the adjective and is commoner in technical writing.

Definitions of optimum

  1. 1adjectiveoptimumThe best possible in the circumstances.B2+

    “Tyres should be kept at the optimum pressure to save fuel.”

optimum is a best.

Also accepted in games: optimal

Where it comes from

Latin optimum is the neuter of optimus, best.

  1. Latin

    optimus — best, very good

  2. English, today

    optimum

Built from

  • ops · Latin — work
  • omnis · Latin — all

From New Latin -, neuter of Latin optimus (“best, very good”), from the root in ops (“work”) or omnis (“all”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA

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