maximize

maximize — verb

1. to increase something so that it is as large, important, or effective as possibl

1.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to increase something so that it is as large, important, or effective as possible — for example, maximizing profits in a business, maximizing classroom space, or maximizing the benefits of exercise.

Example

Hyun's company hopes to maximize profits by cutting costs and entering new markets.

maximize + profits / opportunities / impact

Ayesha rearranged the furniture to maximize the use of her small apartment.

maximize + use of + noun phrase

Common collocations
  • maximize profits
  • maximize efficiency
  • maximize opportunities
  • maximize potential
  • maximize value
  • maximize impact
  • maximize space
  • maximize benefits
  • maximize returns
Synonyms
  • optimize

    focuses on making something work in the best possible way, often involving efficiency or system performance

  • boost

    more informal; emphasizes increasing rather than reaching the highest possible level

  • enhance

    focuses on improving quality or value rather than size or quantity

  • increase

    broader and more general; does not imply reaching a maximum

Antonyms
  • minimize

    direct opposite — to reduce something to the smallest possible amount or degree

Grammar Patterns

maximize + noun phrase

Usage Note

Commonly paired with nouns such as profits, efficiency, opportunities, value, impact, space, and benefits. The object is almost always an abstract noun — this sense is not used with physical objects (e.g. ❌ 'maximize the box').

Common Mistakes

We need to maximum our profits.
We need to maximize our profits.
'Maximum' is a noun or adjective; the verb form is 'maximize.'
I maximized the time I spent on the project.' (when meaning 'used well')
I made the most of the time I spent on the project.
'Maximize' means to make something as big as possible, not simply to use something well.

2. to make a window, application, or dialog box expand so that it takes up the whol

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to make a window, application, or dialog box expand so that it takes up the whole viewing area of a monitor or other display

Example

Click the green button beside the close icon to maximize the window.

maximize + window (common computing collocation)

Eitan maximized the photo editor to see the full image on his screen.

maximize + application name

Common collocations
  • maximize a window
  • maximize an application
  • maximize the browser
  • maximize the screen (common usage)
  • maximize button
Synonyms
  • enlarge

    general term for making something bigger, not limited to computer interfaces

  • expand

    can mean making a window fill more space, but also has many other uses

Antonyms
  • minimize

    to reduce a window to the taskbar or dock without closing it

Grammar Patterns

maximize + noun phrase

Usage Note

The opposite action is 'minimize,' which reduces a window to the taskbar or dock. 'Maximize' is specific to graphical user interfaces — it is not used for enlarging images within an application (use 'zoom in' instead).

Common Mistakes

I maximized the screen to see the text better.
I maximized the browser window to see the text better.
The object of 'maximize' is a window or application, not the screen or device itself.
I maximized the photo on my phone.
I zoomed in on the photo on my phone.
'Maximize' refers to filling the screen with a window; zooming in on content inside an app uses different verbs.

Word family

  • maximum
    nounB1
  • maximum
    adjectiveB1
  • maximal
    adjectiveC1
  • maximization
    nounC1
  • maximizer
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Maximize, optimize, boost, and enhance all involve making something better, but they differ in scope and focus. Maximize means to increase something to its highest possible level — it sets a clear ceiling. Optimize is about making a system or process work as efficiently as possible, often within constraints (e.g. 'optimize a website for mobile users'). Boost is more informal and suggests a short-term or significant increase (e.g. 'boost sales during the holiday season'). Enhance focuses on improving quality, attractiveness, or value rather than size (e.g. 'enhance the flavour of a dish with herbs'). For example, a company might maximize profits by cutting costs, optimize its supply chain for speed, boost revenue with a promotion, and enhance its brand image with better packaging.

maximize ↗optimize ↗boost ↗enhance ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • to the fullest extent

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'maximize' comes from Latin 'maximus,' meaning 'greatest,' combined with the English suffix '-ize,' which means 'to make or become.' It entered English through French 'maximiser' in the early 1800s. The computing sense — making a window fill the whole screen — emerged in the 1980s alongside graphical user interfaces.