Minimal vs. Minimum

Minimal vs. Minimum — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Minimal and Minimum

Minimaladjective

The smallest possible amount, quantity, or degree.

Minimumnoun

The lowest limit.

We prefer candidates with a minimum of 4 years experience in the field.We need a minimum of three staff members on duty at all time.

Minimaladjective

(arts) characterised by the use of simple form or structures.

Minimumnoun

The smallest amount.

He always tries to get away with doing the minimum.Please keep noise to a minimum after 11 o'clock

Minimaladjective

(music) characterised by the repetition and gradual alteration of short phrases.

Minimumnoun

(astronomy) A period of minimum brightness or energy intensity (of a star).

The Maunder minimum of the Sun reportedly corresponded to a period of great cold on Earth.
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Minimaladjective

the least possible;

needed to enforce minimal standardsher grades were minimalminimum wagea minimal charge for the service

Minimumnoun

(analysis) A lower bound of a set which is also an element of that set.

Minimumnoun

(statistics) The smallest member of a batch or sample or the lower bound of a probability distribution.

Minimumadjective

To the lowest degree.

Minimumnoun

the smallest possible quantity

Minimumnoun

the point on a curve where the tangent changes from negative on the left to positive on the right

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Minimumadjective

the least possible;

needed to enforce minimal standardsher grades were minimalminimum wagea minimal charge for the service