minimal

min·i·mal

Use minimal in a sentence

adjective

The definition of minimal is a small amount, or the least amount possible.

When you put forth the least amount of effort possible, this is an example of a time when you put forth minimal effort.

minimal

smallest or least possible; of or constituting a minimum
of or having to do with minimalism or minimal art

minimal

adjective

a. Smallest in amount or degree: The job's minimal qualifications are a BS with two years' experience in the field.
b. Small in amount or degree: a drug with minimal side effects; was able to walk with minimal discomfort.
c. Only barely adequate: insurance policies with minimal coverage for damage to the car.
often Minimal Of, relating to, or being minimalism.

Related Forms:

min′i·mal′i·ty
noun

min′i·mal·ly
adverb

minimal

Adjective

(comparative more minimal, superlative most minimal)

The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree.
(art) characterised by the use of simple form or structures.
(music) characterised by the repetition and gradual alteration of short phrases.

Origin

From minimum +"Ž -al

Noun

(plural mini-mals)

(surfing) A type of surfboard which is similar in shape to a mal (ie. a malibu, or longboard) but shorter, being perhaps 7 to 8 feet where a mal is about 9 feet (surfboards are always measured in feet, even in metric countries).

SentencesSentence examples

Sentence Examples

It is a minimal surface, i.e.
There were too many lengthy phone calls to Massachusetts and minimal attention to our other life.
I performed all the infrequent and minimal tasks of Econ Scrutiny and handled any direct contact with Daniel Brennan.
Poor Martha lacked even a minimal paper trail on her short, disjointed life.
The now well-known fact that small doses of poisonous substances may act as stimuli to living protoplasm, and that respiratory activity and growth may be accelerated by chloroform, ether and even powerful mineral poisons, such as mercuric chloride, in minimal doses, offers some explanation of these phenomena of hypertrophy, wound fever, and other responses to the presence of irritating agents.

Words near minimal in the dictionary