minimum
minimum — noun
1. the lowest possible number, amount, or level of something — for example, the sma
the lowest possible number, amount, or level of something — for example, the smallest number of people needed to start a game, or the coldest temperature a plant can survive without dying.
Rin needs a minimum of eight hours of sleep to function well at work.
a minimum of + [number]
The contract sets a minimum order of fifty boxes for free shipping.
minimum + noun (order, age, etc.)
Kofi kept his spending to a minimum by cooking all his meals at home.
The thermometer recorded a minimum of minus seven degrees overnight.
- maximum
the highest possible number, amount, or level — the direct opposite
文法句型
a minimum of + [number]
keep + noun + to a minimum
at a minimum
用法筆記
Usually singular. The uncountable form appears in fixed phrases such as 'keep something to a minimum' or 'at a minimum'.
常見錯誤
minimum — adjective
1. as low, small, or few as possible or required by an official rule — for example,
as low, small, or few as possible or required by an official rule — for example, the smallest wage an employer is allowed to pay, or the youngest age at which a person can legally drive.
The minimum wage for restaurant staff in this city is fifteen dollars per hour.
minimum + [noun] (wage, age, etc.)
Applicants must meet the minimum age of seventeen to take the driving test.
Dario did only the bare minimum work required to pass the chemistry class.
The apartment has a minimum rental period of twelve full months.
- minimal
more natural after linking verbs; 'minimal effort' suggests a very small amount, but not necessarily the smallest allowed
- least
works before nouns ('the least amount'), but 'least' also serves as a superlative adjective in comparisons
- lowest
common with prices, temperatures, and levels; 'lowest price' is more conversational than 'minimum price'
- maximum
the largest or highest possible or allowed
文法句型
minimum + [noun]
用法筆記
Attributive only — 'minimum' as an adjective appears before a noun and is not used after linking verbs (❌ 'The cost is minimum' → ✅ 'The cost is minimal' or 'The minimum cost is…').
常見錯誤
minimum — adverb
1. placed directly after a number or amount to mark the lower end of a range and si
placed directly after a number or amount to mark the lower end of a range and signal that the real quantity could be larger — for instance, saying a repair will cost two hundred dollars minimum means you might pay more but you will not pay less.
The bus ride to the airport takes forty minutes minimum in morning traffic.
[amount] + minimum
Yael expects the whole process to last three months minimum from start to finish.
Guests should arrive fifteen minutes early minimum to find their seats before the show.
Each trainee must complete twenty hours minimum of practice before taking the exam.
- at least
more flexible — can appear before or after the number; 'at least ten days' sounds natural while 'minimum ten days' does not
- at a minimum
slightly more formal; interchangeable in most positions
文法句型
[amount] + minimum
用法筆記
Unlike most adverbs, 'minimum' comes after the number it modifies (postpositive position). Do not place it before the number (❌ 'Minimum twenty people' is non-standard). Compare with 'at least', which can appear before the number.