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Optimal vs Superlative - What's the difference?

optimal | superlative |

As adjectives the difference between optimal and superlative

is that optimal is the best, most favourable or desirable, especially under some restriction while superlative is exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.

As a noun superlative is

the highest extent or degree of something.

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

    superlative

    English

    (wikipedia superlative)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The highest extent or degree of something.
  • (label) The form of an adjective that expresses which of more than two items has the highest degree of the quality expressed by the adjective; in English, formed by appending "-est" to the end of the adjective (for some short adjectives only) or putting "most" before it.
  • (label) An adjective used to praise something exceptional.

    • Synonyms

    * (highest degree) acme, peak

    Related terms

    * superlative degree

    Adjective

    (-)
  • Exceptionally good; of the highest quality; superb.
  • (grammar) Of or relating to a superlative.

    • Usage notes

    Rather formal, reflecting its Latin etymology; more colloquial alternatives include exceptional, fabulous, above and beyond, and others.

    Synonyms

    * (exceptionally good) above and beyond, exceptional, extraordinary, superb

    See also

    * absolute * comparative * elative ----