größtmögliche

größtmögliche is a German attributive adjective meaning the largest possible or maximal. It is formed from groß (big) and möglich (possible) to express that something is as large as feasibility allows. In everyday language it is often used in technical, planning, safety, and quality contexts to denote upper limits or optimal extents. The term can also be nominalized as das Größtmögliche, meaning “the maximum possible thing” or “the greatest achievable amount,” and is then capitalized.

Morphology and usage

As an attributive adjective, größtmögliche declines like other adjectives when used with a definite article. Examples: der größtmögliche Weg, die größtmögliche Lösung, das größtmögliche Risiko. In the plural: die größtmöglichen Optionen. With an indefinite article, mixed endings apply: ein größtmöglicher Plan, eine größtmögliche Chance, ein größtmögliches Ergebnis. When used without an article, strong endings occur: größtmöglicher Schritt, größtmögliche Verbesserung, größtmögliches Resultat.

Notes and nuance

größtmögliche emphasizes an upper bound or an ideal maximum rather than a mere relative comparison. It often conveys a sense of feasibility, feasibility constraints, or a goal that is as high as circumstances allow. It is distinct from synonyms such as maximal (more technical or numerical) and höchst (superlative, with a slightly different emphasis).

Related forms

The base term is typically written as a single word größtmöglich, with the attributive endings adjusted to the noun it modifies. The noun form das Größtmögliche is common when the concept itself is being discussed as a thing rather than described directly.

Examples

- Das größtmögliche Risiko darf nicht ignoriert werden.

- Wir streben die größtmögliche Effizienz an.