maximize

maximize — verb

1. to increase something so that it is as large, important, or effective as possibl

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to increase something so that it is as large, important, or effective as possible — for example, maximizing profits in a business, maximizing classroom space, or maximizing the benefits of exercise.

例句

Hyun's company hopes to maximize profits by cutting costs and entering new markets.

maximize + profits / opportunities / impact

Ayesha rearranged the furniture to maximize the use of her small apartment.

maximize + use of + noun phrase

同義詞
  • optimize

    focuses on making something work in the best possible way, often involving efficiency or system performance

  • boost

    more informal; emphasizes increasing rather than reaching the highest possible level

  • enhance

    focuses on improving quality or value rather than size or quantity

  • increase

    broader and more general; does not imply reaching a maximum

反義詞
  • minimize

    direct opposite — to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

文法句型

maximize + noun phrase

用法筆記

Commonly paired with nouns such as profits, efficiency, opportunities, value, impact, space, and benefits. The object is almost always an abstract noun — this sense is not used with physical objects (e.g. ❌ 'maximize the box').

常見錯誤

❌We need to maximum our profits.
✅We need to maximize our profits.
💡'Maximum' is a noun or adjective; the verb form is 'maximize.'
❌I maximized the time I spent on the project.' (when meaning 'used well')
✅I made the most of the time I spent on the project.
💡'Maximize' means to make something as big as possible, not simply to use something well.

2. to make a window, application, or dialog box expand so that it takes up the whol

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

to make a window, application, or dialog box expand so that it takes up the whole viewing area of a monitor or other display

例句

Click the green button beside the close icon to maximize the window.

maximize + window (common computing collocation)

Eitan maximized the photo editor to see the full image on his screen.

maximize + application name

同義詞
  • enlarge

    general term for making something bigger, not limited to computer interfaces

  • expand

    can mean making a window fill more space, but also has many other uses

反義詞
  • minimize

    to reduce a window to the taskbar or dock without closing it

文法句型

maximize + noun phrase

用法筆記

The opposite action is 'minimize,' which reduces a window to the taskbar or dock. 'Maximize' is specific to graphical user interfaces — it is not used for enlarging images within an application (use 'zoom in' instead).

常見錯誤

❌I maximized the screen to see the text better.
✅I maximized the browser window to see the text better.
💡The object of 'maximize' is a window or application, not the screen or device itself.
❌I maximized the photo on my phone.
✅I zoomed in on the photo on my phone.
💡'Maximize' refers to filling the screen with a window; zooming in on content inside an app uses different verbs.