English

Adjective

optimal ‎(not comparable)

1. The best, most favourable or desirable, especially under some restriction.

   Finding the optimal balance between features and price is a common problem.

   1. (artificial intelligence) Describing a search algorithm that always returns the best result.

Synonyms

• best, ideal

Related terms

• opt
• option
• optional
• optionable
• optimality
• optimise, optimize
• optimism
• optimist
• optimistic
• optimum
• suboptimal

Translations

French

Etymology

From the Latin optimum suffixed with -al.

Adjective

optimal m ‎(feminine singular optimale, masculine plural optimaux, feminine plural optimales)

1. optimal

German

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔptiˈmaːl/
• Rhymes: -aːl

Adjective

optimal ‎(comparative optimaler, superlative am optimalsten)

1. optimal (perfect)
2. optimal (as good as possible under a given condition)
3. very good

Usage notes

The comparation forms are considered incorrect by some prescriptivists, and are widely restricted to less formal usage.

Declension