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optimum

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Etymology and origin of the French word optimum

Confidence
Established
Formation
Borrowing
First attested
1771 Dictionnaire de Trévoux More words from the 18th century
Borrowed from
Latin optimum
Ultimate origin
Latin optimus

Pronunciation

  • /ɔp.ti.mɔm/[1]

Forms

optimum m (plural optimums)[2]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Latin optimum (“the best”), the neuter of the adjective optimus (“best”), which serves as the superlative of bonus (“good”).[3][4][5][6] Rey connects the Latin adjective with the group of ops (“abundance, resources”), as in opulent.[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is recorded once in 1771, in the Dictionnaire de Trévoux, and then not again until 1913, in Jules Romains, where it means the most favourable possible state of something.[3][7]

Semantic evolution

In the 20th century the noun spread in economics and demography, for the most favourable state of a thing under given conditions;[7][6] optimum de population is recorded by Larousse in 1963.[7][6] The adjectival use is found in Valéry in 1931, and the Petit Robert dates it to 1889.[3][6][1]

Because speakers hesitate between the feminine optimum and optima, and between the plurals optimums and optima, the adjective optimal, formed in 1906 after maximal and minimal, is generally preferred.[7][1]

Timeline

  • 1771 – An isolated record in the Dictionnaire de Trévoux.[3][4]
  • 1889 – First use as an adjective, by the Petit Robert's date.[1]
  • 1906 – The derivative optimal is formed.[7]
  • 1913 – Jules Romains uses the noun again.[3][7]
  • 1931 – Valéry uses the adjective in composition optima.[3]
  • 1963 – Larousse records optimum de population.[6]

Meanings

Noun

  1. The most favourable state or degree of something for a given aim or in given conditions: atteindre l'optimum de rendement.[1][3][6]
  2. (economics) Optimum du producteur: the situation in which a producer makes the greatest profit.[1]
  3. (demography) Optimum de population: the population density that would allow the best use of a country's natural resources.[6]

Adjective

  1. Optimal, best possible: une température optimum or optima.[1][3]

Word family

  • optimal

Usage notes

The plural is optimums or the Latin optima, and the feminine adjective either optimum or optima; optimal avoids the choice and is usually preferred.[1][7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
  2. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  4. ^ a b Bloch, Oscar; Wartburg, Walther von (1989), Dictionnaire étymologique de la langue française, 8th ed., Paris: Presses universitaires de France
  5. ^ Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Rey, Alain, ed. (1992), Dictionnaire historique de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert

Related etymologies

Cite this entry

“Optimum.” Etymologically, 15 Nov. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/optimum. Accessed 15 Nov. 2026.

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