ENGLISH
REFERENCE

maximize

v.
US //ˈmæksəˌmaɪz// max·i·mize
  1. 1 to make as large as possible (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    to increase something to the highest possible amount or level.

    to increase or make as great as possible in size, amount, or importance. Transitive — requires a direct object.

    Example

    The company is trying to maximize its profits by cutting unnecessary costs.

    Example

    To maximize the efficiency of the new solar panels, the engineers adjusted the angle of the array to capture more direct sunlight throughout the day.

    Usage

    Often used in business and scientific contexts with abstract nouns like 'potential', 'efficiency', or 'profit'.
  2. 2 to expand a window (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to make a window on a computer screen fill the entire display area.

    to expand a graphical user interface window to its maximum size, typically filling the entire screen.

    Example

    You can maximize the video window to see the details more clearly.

    Example

    After opening the spreadsheet, maximize the window so that all the columns are visible without needing to scroll horizontally.

    Usage

    Usually used as a transitive verb or in the passive voice when referring to the state of the window.
Origin

From Latin maximus + -ize.

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