suboptimal

IPA/ˌsʌbˈɒptɪməl/
IPA/ˌsʌbˈɑːptɪməl/

suboptimal — 形容詞

  • suboptimalpositive
  • more suboptimalcomparative
  • most suboptimalsuperlative

1. falling below the best achievable level or standard in a given situation

1.形容詞C1
釋義

未達最佳

低於最佳水準或理想狀態

falling below the best achievable level or standard in a given situation

例句

Dr. Chen told the board that the clinic's suboptimal equipment was delaying patient care.

陳醫師告訴董事會,診所的設備未達最佳,正在延誤病人的治療。

attributive use: suboptimal + noun for a measurable shortfall

Amelia knew her suboptimal exam score would not get her into medical school.

Amelia 知道她的考試成績未達最佳,不足以讓她進入醫學院。

常見搭配
  • suboptimal conditions
  • suboptimal outcome
  • suboptimal performance
  • suboptimal results
同義詞
  • subpar

    more direct and judgemental; common in performance reviews

  • inferior

    stronger; implies a clear ranking where one thing is worse than another

  • below par

    idiomatic equivalent; frequent in British English

反義詞

用法筆記

Often used in technical, medical, or professional contexts where a measurable ideal or standard exists. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense compares to an optimal benchmark, while sense 2 is a general quality judgment.

常見錯誤

The surgeon made a suboptimal incision.' (when meaning the cut was dangerously wrong).
The lighting in the operating room was suboptimal.
'suboptimal' means falling slightly below ideal, not 'dangerous' or 'catastrophic.'

2. of noticeably poor quality; not satisfactory

2.形容詞C1
釋義

欠佳

品質明顯不好或不令人滿意

of noticeably poor quality; not satisfactory

例句

Meera described the hotel breakfast as suboptimal: cold toast, weak coffee, and no fruit.

Meera 形容飯店的早餐品質欠佳:冷吐司、淡咖啡,而且沒有水果。

describe [something] as suboptimal

The internet at the library was suboptimal, so Imani packed up and went to a café.

圖書館的網路欠佳,Imani 收拾東西去了咖啡館。

常見搭配
  • suboptimal experience
  • suboptimal service
  • suboptimal quality
同義詞
  • poor

    more common and more direct

  • mediocre

    average to slightly below; milder than 'poor'

  • unsatisfactory

    formal; often used in official assessments

反義詞

用法筆記

A milder, more formal way of saying something is 'not very good.' Less direct than 'poor' or 'bad.' Distinguish from sense 1: this sense does not imply comparison to an optimal standard.

常見錯誤

The food was suboptimal and gave me food poisoning.
The food was suboptimal
the pasta was bland and the salad was wilted.' — 'suboptimal' describes mild disappointment, not extreme or dangerous failure.

同根字

常見搭配

副詞搭配

  • clearly suboptimal
  • somewhat suboptimal
  • highly suboptimal

介系詞搭配

  • suboptimal for