Sub-Optimal

B2 16+
Pronunciation Definitions Examples Grammatical Forms Origin and Evolution

Pronunciation: /sʌbˈɑptɪməl/

Definitions of sub-optimal

adjective less than optimal; not as good as it could be

Example Sentences

A1 Eating only junk food is sub-optimal for your health.

A2 Using outdated software can lead to sub-optimal performance.

B1 The team's sub-optimal communication resulted in a project delay.

B2 The company's sub-optimal decision-making led to financial losses.

C1 The sub-optimal design of the building caused safety hazards.

C2 The sub-optimal management of resources affected the company's overall efficiency.

Examples of sub-optimal in a Sentence

formal The current system design is sub-optimal and may need to be revised for better efficiency.

informal The way we're doing it now is sub-optimal, we should probably find a better way.

slang This setup is totally sub-optimal, we need to fix it ASAP.

figurative Living with a sub-optimal mindset will only hold you back from reaching your full potential.

Grammatical Forms of sub-optimal

past tense

sub-optimized

plural

sub-optimals

comparative

more sub-optimal

superlative

most sub-optimal

present tense

is sub-optimal

future tense

will be sub-optimal

perfect tense

has been sub-optimal

continuous tense

is being sub-optimal

singular

sub-optimal

positive degree

sub-optimal

infinitive

to be sub-optimal

gerund

being sub-optimal

participle

sub-optimizing

Origin and Evolution of sub-optimal

First Known Use: 1958 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The word 'sub-optimal' originated from the combination of the prefix 'sub-' meaning 'under' or 'below' and the word 'optimal' meaning 'best or most favorable'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in the field of mathematics and later adopted in various other disciplines to describe something that is below the best or most favorable level.