optimize
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to improve something so that it works in the best possible way.
to make something optimal or as effective as possible by adjusting its components.
Simple“We need to optimize our workflow to finish the project on time.”
In context“The management team sought to optimize the supply chain to reduce overhead costs while maintaining high delivery standards.”
UsageOften used with abstract nouns like 'process', 'performance', or 'workflow'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to make a computer program or system run faster or use less memory.
to modify a system or software to improve its efficiency or reduce its resource consumption.
Simple“The developers are working to optimize the app for older smartphones.”
In context“By refactoring the database queries, the engineers were able to optimize the server response time significantly during peak traffic hours.”
Synonyms
(1844) Back-formation from optimist.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.