What does maximise mean?
To maximise is to make something as large, effective, beneficial, or valuable as it can reasonably be. The verb is used for quantities such as profits, efficiency, potential, and chances, as well as for the benefits one can obtain from a situation. “Maximise efficiency” means to improve a system or process so that it produces the best results with the available resources, while “maximise chances” means to do everything possible to improve the likelihood of success. The word often has a practical, goal-oriented connotation: it suggests pursuing an optimum rather than merely making a moderate improvement. In British English it is spelled “maximise,” while the American spelling is “maximize.” Its Latin origin, through maximus, means “greatest,” reflecting the idea of reaching the highest possible level.
verbTo make something as great, large, or effective as possible; to increase something to its maximum extent. It can also mean to achieve the greatest possible benefit or value from a situation.
- To increase a quantity, quality, or degree to its greatest possible level.
- To obtain the greatest possible advantage, benefit, or effectiveness from something.
- To make the most of a situation or opportunity.
"The new system is designed to maximise efficiency while reducing costs."
"The charity aims to maximise the number of people who receive support."
"We should maximise our chances of success by preparing thoroughly."
Maximise comes from the Latin maximus, meaning “greatest,” and shares a family tree with maximum, maximal, and maxim.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does maximise come from?
Maximise derives from the Latin adjective maximus, meaning “greatest” or “very large,” which is the superlative of magnus. English borrowed the word in the early 17th century in the sense of making something greatest in amount or degree. It belongs to a family including maximum, maximal, and maxim, all of which preserve the underlying idea of the greatest possible value or extent.
Related word forms
How maximise is actually used
In British English, “maximise” is the usual spelling; American English uses “maximize.” It is commonly used in formal, professional, and educational contexts, especially in business, technology, and policy.
Easily confused with maximise
A maximum is the greatest possible amount or level, whereas to maximise is to increase something to that greatest possible level.
Maximise generally means to make the amount, extent, or effectiveness of something as great as possible, while optimise often involves arranging or tuning something for the best performance.