Optimize

How to spell optimize

8 letters · 3 syllables

How to pronounce optimize

Say the part in capitals loudest.

What does optimize mean?

1. verbTo make something as effective, efficient, or favourable as possible.

Optimize in a sentence

• The team worked late to optimize the website for faster loading.

• A good accountant can optimize your tax position within the law.

Where does optimize come from?

Language of origin: Latin

This word is built on the Latin optimus, the superlative form of bonus 'good', so it literally points to 'the best'. In the nineteenth century English coined 'optimize' on that root, fitting it with the common Greek-derived verb ending -ize, which means 'to make' or 'to render', so the whole word reads as 'to make the best of'. It first appeared in the early 1800s with the sense of taking an optimistic view, and the modern meaning of adjusting something to get the most favourable result settled in later that century. The same optimus root sits inside 'optimum' and 'optimist', which helps explain the steady 'optim-' opening you must keep before the suffix. The chief spelling decision is the ending: the -ize form follows the Greek-derived -izein pattern and is the standard American and Canadian choice, where British writers usually prefer -ise.

How the word is built

• optim- (from Latin optimus: best)
• -ize (verb suffix: to make or render)

British and American spelling

Optimize is the American spelling. British English spells it optimise.