Skip to main content

minimizeto reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/

Example Sentences

  • To minimize my mom's nagging, I clean my room before she notices the mess.
  • The company is trying to minimize environmental impact by using renewable energy.
  • She minimized her browser window when her boss walked by.

minimize

VERB

[/ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/]

to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

The company minimized waste to reduce costs.
💡 Concept

The company minimized waste to reduce costs.

The shrinking ray minimized a giant robot into a mini toy. (GIANT → MINI = MINIMIZE → turning something huge into something tiny)
🧠 Mnemonic

The shrinking ray minimized a giant robot into a mini toy. (GIANT → MINI = MINIMIZE → turning something huge into something tiny)

Minimize the waste, optimize the process, and maximize the reward.
🎵 Rhyme

Minimize the waste, optimize the process, and maximize the reward.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/

🌳Etymology

Rootmini
Suffix--ize

Origin

Derived from Latin minimus (smallest), minimize was introduced to English in the 17th century. Originally employed as a mathematical term, it gradually expanded to broader general usage in everyday language.

Breakdown

minimum (from Latin minimus, smallest) + -ize (verb-forming suffix meaning to make or cause to become).

🎵Rhyme

maximizeoptimizecriticize
maximize
optimize
criticize

🔗Collocations

minimize risk
minimize costs
minimize damage
minimize waste
minimize exposure
minimize impact

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

To minimize my mom's nagging, I clean my room before she notices the mess.

The company is trying to minimize environmental impact by using renewable energy.

She minimized her browser window when her boss walked by.

😄 Fun example

To minimize awkwardness, he pretended not to see his ex-girlfriend at the party.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

reducedecreasediminishlessencut down

Antonyms

maximizeincreaseamplify

Related

minimumminorminimaloptimization

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.