suboptimally
|sub/op/ti/mal/ly|
C1
🇺🇸
/sʌbˈɑptɪməli/
🇬🇧
/sʌbˈɒptɪməli/
(suboptimal)
less than best
Etymology
Etymology Information
'suboptimally' originates from the prefix 'sub-' meaning 'below' and the word 'optimal' meaning 'best or most favorable'.
Historical Evolution
'suboptimal' was derived from the Latin word 'optimus', meaning 'best', combined with the prefix 'sub-' to indicate a state below the best.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'below the best', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner that is less than optimal or not the best possible.
The project was completed suboptimally due to time constraints.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39