ENGLISH
REFERENCE

maximize

v.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //ˈmæksəˌmaɪz// max·i·mize Academic Dialect

v. to make something as large, great, or effective as possible. You use this when you want to get the most out of a situation or a tool.

v. to increase or make as great as possible in amount, degree, or size; to make the best use of a resource. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the quantity or quality being increased.


SIMPLE

We need to maximize our profits this year.

CONTEXTUAL

The new software update helps users maximize their battery life by closing background apps automatically.

COMPLEX

To maximize the impact of the research findings, the department decided to publish the results in an open-access journal rather than a subscription-based one.

Antonyms
Origin

From Latin maximus + -ize.

Usage

The verb is transitive and takes a direct object; frequently used in business, mathematics, and computing contexts.

Pitfall

maximize about the efficiencymaximize the efficiencyMaximize is a transitive verb and does not take the preposition 'about'.

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