max
maks
Max (noun) means Shortened form of maximum: the greatest amount or level possible. Example: “The speed limit here is 30 max.”
noun
1
Shortened form of maximum: the greatest amount or level possible.
"The speed limit here is 30 max."
"You can carry five kilos max in this small bag."
"Turn the volume up to the max and the speakers rattle."
verb
1
To reach the highest possible level or limit of something.
"He maxed out his credit card buying the new laptop."
"She maxed her lifting weight at the gym this week."
"The runners maxed out their energy in the final lap."
How to use max
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA casual short form of "maximum," used as a noun or verb for hitting the highest possible level.
Common pairings
max out
max speed
to the max
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- maxes
- Past tense
- maxed
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The speed limit here is 30 _____.
Etymology
Shortened from "maximum," from Latin maximus, "greatest."
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “max” mean?
The word “max” means shortened form of maximum: the greatest amount or level possible. In plain terms, a casual short form of "maximum," used as a noun or verb for hitting the highest possible level.
How do you pronounce “max”?
“Max” is pronounced maks (/mæks/ in IPA).
How do you use “max” in a sentence?
Here is “max” used in a sentence: “The speed limit here is 30 max.”
What part of speech is “max”?
Depending on how it is used, “max” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “max” come from?
The word “max” comes from Latin. Shortened from "maximum," from Latin maximus, "greatest.".
Is “max” a common word?
“Max” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “max” have?
“Max” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: shortened form of maximum: the greatest amount or level possible.
What is the difference between max and min?
'Max' is short for maximum, the greatest amount or level possible, while 'min' is short for minimum, the smallest. The two are opposites and often appear together as a labelled range — for example, a min and max temperature, or minimum and maximum values on a setting. Both are informal shortenings of longer words.
What does 'to the max' mean?
'To the max' is an informal phrase meaning to the greatest possible degree, or as much as something can be. If something is done 'to the max,' it is taken to its fullest extent — for example, 'she pushed herself to the max.' It draws directly on 'max' as the peak or upper limit.
Is 'max' formal or informal?
'Max' is informal and conversational, common in speech, texting, and casual writing. In formal or technical documents, the full word 'maximum' is preferred. As a spelled-out abbreviation it also appears on labels and specifications — such as 'max. load' — but even there it reads as a shorthand rather than as formal prose.
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