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Minimal vs Optimal - What's the difference?

minimal | optimal |

As adjectives the difference between minimal and optimal

is that minimal is the smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree while optimal is the best, most favourable or desirable, especially under some restriction.

minimal

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree.
  • (arts) characterised by the use of simple form or structures.
  • (music) characterised by the repetition and gradual alteration of short phrases.

    • Derived terms

    * minimally * minimal pair

    Antonyms

    * maximal

    optimal

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • The best, most favourable or desirable, especially under some restriction.
    • Finding the optimal balance between features and price is a common problem.
  • # (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