optimum
noun
op·ti·mum ˈäp-tə-məm 
plural optima ˈäp-tə-mə also optimums
also optimums 1
: the amount or degree of something that is most favorable to some end
The substances were mixed in various proportions until an optimum was reached.
especially : the most favorable condition for the growth and reproduction of an organism
The soil condition for this crop is now at an optimum.
2
: greatest degree attained or attainable under implied or specified conditions
This agricultural pest reaches its optimum farther south.
optimum adjective
Example Sentences
The substances were mixed in various proportions until an optimum was reached.
Recent Examples on the Web The optimum would be to toss into the stream of discussion an AI outlier comment that would get everyone to go full-on fissionable red hot. 
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 July 2022 Some of that will now happen regardless, but there’s still scope to fiddle with the optimum at the margins. Trond Arne Undheim, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Buxton showed the optimum of his skills when he was named the American League's Player of the Month this past April. Star Tribune, 8 June 2021 As far as emphasis, every single week, every single day optimum, nothing but our best. James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 2 Dec. 2019
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 10 July 2022 Some of that will now happen regardless, but there’s still scope to fiddle with the optimum at the margins. Trond Arne Undheim, Forbes, 13 Apr. 2022 Buxton showed the optimum of his skills when he was named the American League's Player of the Month this past April. Star Tribune, 8 June 2021 As far as emphasis, every single week, every single day optimum, nothing but our best. James Crepea | The Oregonian/oregonlive, oregonlive, 2 Dec. 2019 Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin, from neuter of optimus (earlier optumus) "best," probably originally "foremost, headmost," from ob "toward, in front of" + -tumus, -timus, superlative suffix (going back to Indo-European *-tm̥mos) — more at ob-
Note: Traditionally the initial element op- has been taken as the stem of op-, *ops "power, ability, wealth" (see opus), though superlative derivatives with -(t)imus are regularly formed from spatial prepositions (as extimus, intimus, postumus), not nouns. The inscriptional forms opitimus, opitumus probably contain an epenthetic vowel and hence would not be of etymological relevance.
First Known Use
1848, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing optimum
Kids Definition
optimum
adjective
op·ti·mum ˈäp-tə-məm
: most desirable or satisfactory
The shuttle is launched only under optimum conditions.
Medical Definition
optimum
noun
op·ti·mum ˈäp-tə-məm
plural optima -mə also optimums
also optimums 1
: the amount or degree of something that is most favorable to some end
especially : the most favorable condition for the growth and reproduction of an organism
2
: greatest degree attained or attainable under implied or specified conditions
optimum
adjective
as in optimal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- optimal
- maximum
- excellent
- superb
- prime
- supreme
- matchless
- outstanding
- special
- superior
- choice
- capital
- peerless
- exceptional
- superlative
- terrific
- splendid
- stellar
- par excellence
- exquisite
- distinguished
- marvelous
- sterling
- swell
- top
- nifty
- classic
- sensational
- preeminent
- number one
- great
- fantastic
- fabulous
- marvellous
- tip-top
- first-rate
- first-class
- top-notch
- unparalleled
- grand
- No. 1
- unsurpassed
- unmatched
- A1
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- adequate
- common
- medium
- sufficient
- fair
- satisfactory
- ordinary
- reasonable
- acceptable
- indifferent
- mediocre
- middling
- decent
- passable
- tolerable
- okay
- sufficing
- all right
- moderate
- modest
- run-of-the-mine
- run-of-mine
- alright
- so-so
- second-rate
- second-class
- run-of-the-mill
- OK