optimum

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US/ˈɑptɪməm/UK/ˈɒptɪməm/

noun

The best or most favorable condition, or the greatest amount or degree possible under specific sets of comparable circumstances.

“optimum conditions for climbing”

Similar
pessimumbestidealoptimal
OriginLatin optimus →
CommonScrabble 13
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Meanings

nounoptimum (plural optima or optimums)

plural optima · plural optimums

  1. The best or most favorable condition, or the greatest amount or degree possible under specific sets of comparable circumstances.
  2. biologyAny long period of time marked by a persistently warm climate; a climatic optimum.
adjectiveoptimum (not comparable)
  1. not comparableThe best or most advantageous; surpassing all others.

    optimum conditions for climbing

    Synonyms: best, ideal, optimal

Synonyms & antonyms

adjectiveThe best or most advantageous; surpassing all others.

Similar
bestidealoptimal

the best under specific circumstances

Similar
pessimum

More synonyms by meaning

adjectivemost desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied

Similar
optimalbest
Also see
idealoptimal

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

  1. Latinoptimus“best, very good”
  2. Englishoptimum

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

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Bulgarian оптимум, оптимален
  • оптимум (optimum)the best or most favorable condition
  • оптимален (optimalen)best or most advantageous
French optimum, optimal
  • optimumthe best or most favorable condition
  • optimalbest or most advantageous
German Optimum
  • Optimumthe best or most favorable condition
Icelandic kjörgildi, besta gildi
  • kjörgildithe best or most favorable condition
  • besta gildithe best or most favorable condition
  • kjörstaðathe best or most favorable condition
Italian ottimo
  • ottimothe best or most favorable condition
Māori tino arotau
  • tino arotauthe best or most favorable condition
Polish optimum, optymalny
  • optimumthe best or most favorable condition
  • optymalnybest or most advantageous
  • najkorzystniejszybest or most advantageous
Portuguese ótimo
  • ótimobest or most advantageous
Spanish óptimum, óptimo
  • óptimumthe best or most favorable condition
  • óptimobest or most advantageous
Swedish optimum, optimal
  • optimumthe best or most favorable condition
  • optimalbest or most advantageous
Cite this entry
APA

optimum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/optimum

MLA

“optimum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/optimum. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “optimum,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/optimum.

Source: optimum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.