minimize
MIHN-ih-myz
Minimize (verb) means to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or size. Example: “The company took steps to minimize its environmental impact.”
verb
1
To reduce something to the smallest possible amount or size.
"The company took steps to minimize its environmental impact."
"Wear a helmet to minimize the risk of head injury."
"We closed the windows to minimize the noise from the road."
2
To shrink a window on a computer screen down to an icon on the taskbar.
"Just minimize the browser if your boss walks by."
"Click the small dash in the corner to minimize the window."
"I had to minimize the video call to find the document."
3
To downplay or treat something as less important than it is.
"He tried to minimize his role in the mistake."
"Please don't minimize how hard she worked on this project."
"The manager tried to minimize the complaints, but customers were clearly upset."
How to use minimize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something as small as possible, or to make it seem less important than it really is.
Common pairings
minimize risk
minimize the damage
minimize a window
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- minimizes
- Past tense
- minimized
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The company took steps to _____ its environmental impact.
Etymology
From Latin minimus, "smallest," plus the verb-forming suffix "-ize."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for minimize
See all rhymes for minimize →Frequently asked questions
What does “minimize” mean?
The word “minimize” means to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or size. In plain terms, to make something as small as possible, or to make it seem less important than it really is.
How do you pronounce “minimize”?
“Minimize” is pronounced MIHN-ih-myz (/ˈmɪn.ɪˌmaɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “minimize” in a sentence?
Here is “minimize” used in a sentence: “The company took steps to minimize its environmental impact.”
What part of speech is “minimize”?
“Minimize” is a verb.
Where does the word “minimize” come from?
The word “minimize” comes from Latin. From Latin minimus, "smallest," plus the verb-forming suffix "-ize.".
Is “minimize” a common word?
“Minimize” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “minimize” have?
“Minimize” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or size.
What is the difference between minimize and reduce?
Reduce simply means to make something smaller or less in amount, while minimize means to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or size, implying an extreme or optimal endpoint. Minimize carries a sense of pushing the reduction as far as it can go.
What does it mean to minimize a window on a computer?
To minimize a window means to shrink it down to an icon on the taskbar so it is out of view but still running in the background. This is different from closing a program, since a minimized window can be reopened instantly.
Is minimize used differently when talking about a person's feelings versus a computer window?
Yes, when applied to feelings or problems, minimize means to downplay or treat something as less important than it actually is, as in "don't minimize her concerns." This figurative sense is distinct from the literal uses of reducing a quantity or shrinking a window.
