minimize

minimize — verb

1. to make something as small or low as possible, especially something that costs m

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to make something as small or low as possible, especially something that costs money, creates problems, or causes harm.

Example

Chiara installed solar panels to minimize her electricity bills.

minimize + costs (electricity bills / expenses)

The hospital team took extra steps to minimize the risk of infection.

minimize + risk [of something]

Common collocations
  • minimize costs
  • minimize risk
  • minimize damage
  • minimize disruption
  • minimize the impact
Synonyms
  • reduce

    more general; does not imply reaching the lowest possible level

  • cut

    informal, often used for costs or spending

  • curb

    suggests controlling or limiting something rather than reducing it to nothing

Antonyms
  • maximize

    to make as large or high as possible

Grammar Patterns

minimize + noun phrase

Usage Note

Often used with nouns describing negative outcomes (risk, damage, disruption, cost) or scarce resources (time, energy, waste).

Common Mistakes

We need to minimize the size of the room.
We need to reduce the size of the room.
'minimize' means to make as small as possible, not just smaller; 'reduce' is better for partial changes.

2. to describe or treat something as less serious, important, or harmful than it ac

2.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

to describe or treat something as less serious, important, or harmful than it actually is, often on purpose.

Example

Amira spoke slowly but did not minimize the seriousness of the situation.

minimize + the seriousness of [something]

Ziad felt the company report minimized the problems faced by factory workers.

minimize + problems / difficulties / challenges

Common collocations
  • minimize the importance
  • minimize the role
  • minimize the problem
  • minimize the seriousness
Synonyms
  • play down

    phrasal verb, slightly informal; same meaning

  • understate

    more neutral; may imply accidental rather than intentional downplaying

  • belittle

    stronger, more negative; suggests treating someone or something as worthless

Antonyms
  • exaggerate

    to describe something as larger, more important, or more serious than it really is

Grammar Patterns

minimize + noun phrase (problem, importance, role)

Usage Note

Frequently carries a critical tone — the speaker believes the situation is more serious than how it is being presented. Common in news, politics, and workplace discussions.

Common Mistakes

He minimized the size of the company's offices.' (if meaning physically smaller)
He reduced the size of the company's offices.
'minimize' in this sense is about perceived importance, not physical dimensions.

3. to turn an open window or program into a small icon on the taskbar, hiding its c

3.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

to turn an open window or program into a small icon on the taskbar, hiding its contents until it is restored.

Example

Nila clicked the minus button to minimize the browser window.

minimize + window (browser window / application window)

Eri minimized all open windows before restarting her slow computer.

Common collocations
  • minimize a window
  • minimize the screen
  • minimize an application
Synonyms
  • hide

    general term; 'minimize' is the specific computing action

Antonyms
  • maximize

    to expand a window to fill the screen

  • restore

    to return a minimized window to its previous size

Grammar Patterns

minimize + window / program / app

Usage Note

The opposite action is 'maximize' or 'restore'. On most operating systems, the minimize button is represented by a dash (—) at the top-right corner of a window.

Common Mistakes

I minimized the document by closing it completely.
I minimized the document by clicking the dash button.
closing removes the document; minimizing keeps it running but hides the window.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve making something smaller or lower, but they differ in degree and emphasis. 'Reduce' is the most general term — it simply means to make something smaller or less, with no suggestion of reaching a lowest point. 'Cut' is more informal and often refers to a deliberate, sometimes sudden reduction in spending, staff, or resources. 'Curb' adds the idea of controlling or restraining something, especially an undesirable behaviour or trend, without necessarily making it very small. 'Minimize' is the strongest of the group: it means to reduce to the smallest possible level, not just to a lower one. For example, a company might cut jobs to reduce costs, curb excessive spending, and ultimately minimize financial losses.

reduce ↗cut ↗curb ↗minimize ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • minimization of

Adverbs

  • greatly minimized
  • carefully minimized
  • significantly minimized

Phrases

  • in an effort to minimize
  • in order to minimize

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'minimus' meaning 'smallest' or 'least'. The English word 'minimum' (the least possible amount) entered the language in the 1600s, and the verb 'minimize' was formed from it in the early 1800s. The computing sense of hiding a window appeared with graphical user interfaces in the 1980s.