minimal

/'miniml/

Thân thiện

The student's effort was minimal, but he still passed the exam.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • The smallest possible amount or degree; the least possible. This is the core meaning, describing something that is the absolute minimum required or present.
   • Barely adequate or sufficient. Used to describe something that is just enough to meet a basic requirement, with nothing extra.
   • Characterized by simplicity and lack of decoration or excess. Often used in art, design, and lifestyle to describe a style that uses the fewest and simplest elements.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The apartment had minimal furniture, just a bed and a table. (Describing a very small, basic amount.)
  • She made minimal progress on the project this week. (Describing the least possible degree of progress.)
  • The artist is known for her minimal style, using only black lines on a white canvas. (Describing an aesthetic of simplicity and reduction.)

Advanced Usage

• "to keep something to a minimal": to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or level.
  • We need to keep costs to a minimal to stay within budget.
• "minimal impact/effect": describing a very small or negligible influence.
  • The new policy had a minimal impact on most employees.
• "minimalist" (noun/adjective): a person who advocates or practices a minimalist style or lifestyle. (Note: This is a related but distinct word).
  • As a minimalist, he owns very few possessions.

Variants and Related Words

• Minimally (adverb): to a minimal degree or extent; very little.
  • The room was minimally decorated.
• Minimize (verb): to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree.
  • We must minimize the risks involved.
• Minimum (noun/adjective): the least or smallest amount or quantity possible, permitted, or recorded. (This is a closely related word, often used interchangeably with 'minimal' in some contexts, but 'minimum' is more often a precise lower limit).
  • The minimum age for voting is 18.

Synonyms

• Bare minimum: the absolute least required.
• Nominal: existing in name only or being very small (especially regarding a fee or amount).
• Token: done for the sake of appearances only; minimal or symbolic.
• Basic: forming an essential foundation; minimal.

Antonyms

• Maximal: of or constituting a maximum; the greatest possible.
• Extensive: covering or affecting a large area; large in amount or scale.
• Abundant: existing or available in large quantities; plentiful.
• Elaborate: involving many carefully arranged parts or details; detailed and complicated.

Related Phrases and Collocations

• Minimal effort: the smallest amount of work or energy required.
  • He put minimal effort into his homework.
• Minimal damage: very little harm or impairment.
  • Fortunately, the storm caused minimal damage.
• Minimal contact: very little communication or interaction.
  • They have minimal contact with their neighbors.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. the least possible
   • needed to enforce minimal standards
   • her grades were minimal
   • minimum wage
   • a minimal charge for the service

Từ đồng nghĩa

• minimum