minimum
/'miniməm/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- The smallest possible amount, number, or degree: The lowest point, level, or limit that is allowed, possible, or recorded.
- Mathematics: The point on a curve where the value of a function is lower than at all other nearby points.
Adjective:
- Being the smallest amount, number, or degree possible or allowed: Constituting the minimum.
Examples of Usage
Noun:
- The temperature dropped to a minimum of five degrees last night.
- We need to keep costs to an absolute minimum.
- The law sets a minimum for safety standards.
Adjective:
- The minimum age for driving is 17.
- You must meet the minimum requirements to apply.
- He did the minimum amount of work necessary to pass.
Advanced Usage
- "At a minimum": As the very least; at the lowest level.
- The project will take, at a minimum, six months to complete.
- "Absolute/ bare minimum": The smallest possible amount, with no room for reduction.
- He does the bare minimum required by his job and nothing more.
Variants and Related Words
- Minimal (adjective): Very small in amount or degree; the least possible.
- The plan had a minimal chance of success.
- There was minimal damage to the car.
- Minimize (verb): To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree.
- We need to minimize the risk of error.
- Minimum wage (noun phrase): The lowest wage permitted by law or by a special agreement.
Synonyms
- Noun: Least, lowest, slightest, bottom, nadir.
- Adjective: Minimal, smallest, least, lowest, slightest.
Antonyms
- Noun: Maximum, most, peak, zenith.
- Adjective: Maximum, greatest, highest, most.
Adjective
- the least possible
- needed to enforce minimal standards
- her grades were minimal
- minimum wage
- a minimal charge for the service
Noun
- the point on a curve where the tangent changes from negative on the left to positive on the right
- the smallest possible quantity