minimal

minimal — adjective

1. describing an amount, size, or level that is the smallest possible or very close

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describing an amount, size, or level that is the smallest possible or very close to it, with nothing extra added

例句

The storm caused only minimal damage to the village.

collocation: minimal damage (common with nouns for harm/cost)

Liam's new diet plan involves a minimal amount of sugar each day.

同義詞
  • minimum

    used as a noun or before a noun; more technical and quantitative than minimal

  • slight

    suggests something is barely noticeable in degree, not necessarily reduced to the lowest possible level

  • tiny

    more informal and concrete; usually describes physical size rather than abstract amount

  • marginal

    formal or technical; describes a small but measurable difference, often in business or statistics

反義詞

文法句型

minimal + noun

be + minimal

用法筆記

Frequently used before nouns like damage, cost, amount, effort, and care. Unlike 'minimum', which is usually a noun or determiner, 'minimal' works as a standalone adjective in both attributive and predicative positions.

常見錯誤

❌We need to keep costs to a minimal.
✅We need to keep costs to a minimum.
💡'Minimum' is the noun form; 'minimal' is an adjective and cannot follow 'a/an' alone.
❌He received only minimal injuries in the accident.' (when meaning not serious).
✅He received only minor injuries in the accident.
💡'Minimal' means 'the smallest possible', while 'minor' means 'not serious in importance'.