DictionaryAI

maximise

verb
SayMAK-suh-myz/ˈmæksəmaɪz/

Formsmaximises, maximising, maximised

US spellingmaximize · also used in the UK

3 meanings of maximise

Practice

  1. 1
    greatest amountverbtransitive
    To make something as large or as high as it can possibly be.

    Farmers want to maximise the amount of food their land produces.

    She moved her desk next to the window to maximise the light.

    UsageOften used with profits, sales or the number of something.

    Note
  2. 2
    make full useverbtransitive
    To get as much as you can out of something, like your time, money or space.

    Clever shelves help us maximise the space in our tiny kitchen.

    She maximised her lunch break by going for a walk in the park.

    UsageWe often say maximise your chances of doing something.

    Similarexploit, optimise

    Oppositewaste, squander

  3. 3
    computer windowverb
    To make a window on a computer screen fill the main part of the screen.

    Double-click the top bar to maximise the window so it fills your screen.

    I maximised the window so the spreadsheet filled my whole screen.

    Note

Practice

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Origin

It comes from the Latin word maximus, with the ending -ise added.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 1 fact