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minimal

[ min-uh-muhl ]

/ ˈmɪn ə məl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR minimal ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

constituting a minimum: a minimal mode of transportation.

barely adequate or the least possible: minimal care.

Origin of minimal

First recorded in 1660–70; minim(um) + -al¹

SYNONYMS FOR minimal

2 nominal, minimum.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR minimal ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM minimal

min·i·mal·ly, adverb non·min·i·mal, adjective sub·min·i·mal, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH minimal

minimal minimize minimum minuscule minutia (see usage note at minuscule)

Words nearby minimal

minikin, minilab, minilaparotomy, minim, minima, minimal, minimal art, minimal brain dysfunction, minimal dose, minimal infecting dose, minimal lethal dose

Example sentences from the Web for minimal

The sport of surfing is a very sexy sport, beautiful people on beautiful beaches in minimal clothing.

Anastasia Ashley, Surfer-Cum-Model, Rides The Viral Internet Wave |James Joiner |December 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
But it is unfounded fear by an American public at minimal risk of contracting the illness that is confounding those efforts.

Quarantine Turns Ebola Heroes Into Pariahs |Russell Saunders |October 28, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The military maintains that the risk of contracting the virus is minimal.

U.S. Soldiers Get Just Four Hours of Ebola Training |Tim Mak |October 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Nevertheless, after minimal bed rest, he was sent back out—and then on to a subsequent deployment.

When the War Comes Home |Sara Stewart |October 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

In short, the critics argued, the chances that this machine could ever be useful were minimal.

Why Does My Kids’ Elementary School Need a Tank? |Andy Hinds |September 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
I shall designate the stimulus below the minimal, as the sub-minimal.

Life Movements in Plants, Volume II, 1919 |Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose
When used, Rapid Dominance would ensure favorable early resolution of issues with minimal loss of lives and collateral damage.

Shock and Awe |Harlan K. Ullman
It is a case where the "minimal dose" is wholly inoperative.

An Inquiry Into The Nature Of Peace And The Terms Of Its Perpetuation |Thorstein Veblen
It is a minimal rule experience, which seems a comedy to someone who never watched it before.

The Civilization of Illiteracy |Mihai Nadin
It thus appears that the minimal pause which is satisfactory, is less when rhyme is present than when it is not present.

Harvard Psychological Studies, Volume 1 |Various

British Dictionary definitions for minimal

minimal

/ (ˈmɪnɪməl) /

adjective

of the least possible; minimum or smallest

Derived forms of minimal

minimally, adverb