Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

optimum

/ˈɑptɪməm/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.54 in modern English

Syllables
op-ti-mum
IPA
/ˈɑptɪməm/
13
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

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

noun

Any long period of time marked by a persistently warm climate; a climatic optimum.

adj

The best or most advantageous; surpassing all others.

Example Sentences

Etymology

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

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈɑptɪməm/
  • British English: /ˈɒptɪməm/

Inflected Forms

optima (plural) optimums (plural)

Derived Forms

suboptimum

Phrases

climatic optimum global optimum Little Optimum local optimum

Frequently Paired Words

optimal optimific optimise optimize optimism optimist optimistic

Synonyms

best ideal optimal pessimum

Questions

How do you pronounce optimum?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈɑptɪməm/.
What does optimum mean?
The best or most favorable condition, or the greatest amount or degree possible under specific sets of comparable circumstances.
Where does optimum come from?
It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce optimum

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “optimum”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈɑptɪməm/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “optimum”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “optimum” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.