B2adjectiveformalacademicbusiness
US/ˈmɪn.ə.məl/
UK/ˈmɪn.ɪ.məl/
very small in amount or degree, the smallest possible or acceptable
In context
The repair caused only minimal damage to the rest of the building.
With minimal effort, you can save a lot of energy at home.
The room had a minimal design, with just a bed and a lamp.
Words that go with minimal
adjective + noun
- minimal riskThe treatment carries minimal risk for most patients.
- minimal effortThe software needs minimal effort to learn.
- minimal impactThe new law had minimal impact on small shops.
- minimal damageThe storm left minimal damage in the village.
- minimal costRepairs can be done at minimal cost.
- minimal changesThe editor made only minimal changes to the text.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
the minimal wageCorrect: the minimum wage