# maximise

Pronunciation: say "MAK-suh-myz" /ˈmæksəmaɪz/

## Verb

1. To increase something to the greatest amount, size or degree that is possible.
   - Simple: To make something as large or as high as it can possibly be.
   - _The new layout is designed to maximise the number of seats in the theatre._
   - _By selling directly online, the bakery maximised its profits._
2. To use something, such as time, resources, room or a chance, as fully and as effectively as possible.
   - Simple: To get as much as you can out of something, like your time, money or space.
   - _Students who want to maximise their time at university should start planning in the first term._
   - _The home side maximised the opportunity, scoring twice while the visitors were down to ten men._
3. To enlarge a window on a computer so that it fills the main area of the screen.
   - Simple: To make a window on a computer screen fill the main part of the screen.
   - _Maximise the spreadsheet window before you start comparing the columns._
   - _When she maximised the browser, the icons on her desktop disappeared from view._

## Origin

Formed from Latin maximus with the verb-forming suffix -ise (also spelt -ize).

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/maximise (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).