max
gb/mˈæks/ us/mˈæks/
A2
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
adjective
informal
A2
property
1
greatest or highest possible
The biggest or most that is possible.
Usage pattern:
the max [amount/level]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'max' with 'maximum' in formal writing; 'max' is informal and better for speech or casual writing.
Synonyms
maximum (More formal; used in official or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
minimum (Refers to the smallest or lowest amount possible.)
Collocations
max speed
|max capacity
|max level
|max effort
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The car reached its max speed on the highway.
- We need to keep the noise down to the max allowed level.
- She gave her max effort during the competition.
Learner examples
- This bag can hold a max of 10 kilos.
- He worked at his max speed.
- The max time for the test is one hour.
Noun
informal
A2
quantity
2
greatest possible amount
The most that can happen, be done, or be allowed.
Usage pattern:
the max of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may omit 'of' when it is needed (e.g., 'a max 10 people' instead of 'a max of 10 people').
Synonyms
maximum (More formal; used in written and technical contexts.)
Antonyms
minimum (The lowest amount possible.)
Collocations
to the max
|hit the max
|reach the max
Themes
measurement
|limits
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The room can hold a max of 50 people.
- You can borrow a max of five books at a time.
- He pushed himself to the max in training.
Learner examples
- I can pay a max of $100.
- This class has a max of 20 students.
- She ran to the max of her ability.
Verb
informal
B1
action
3
increase to greatest amount
To make something as big or high as it can be.
Usage pattern:
to max [something] out
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'max' without 'out' when the phrasal verb is required for clarity (e.g., 'I max my card' instead of 'I max out my card').
Synonyms
maximize (More formal; often used in business or technical contexts.)
Antonyms
minimize (To reduce something to the smallest possible amount.)
Collocations
max out credit card
|max out volume
|max out performance
Themes
measurement
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She maxed out her credit card last month.
- He maxed the volume for the party.
- They maxed their training hours before the event.
Learner examples
- I maxed out my phone storage.
- He maxed the heat in the car.
- We maxed our time at the park.
Grammar
Dictionary form
max
IPA
GB/mˈæks/
US/mˈæks/
Syllables & stress
max (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (max)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: max
- Comparative: maxer
- Superlative: maxest
Noun
- Base: max
- Plural: maxes
Verb
- Base: max
- 3rd Person Singular: maxes
- Present Participle: maxing
- Past: maxed
- Past Participle: maxed
Word family
Expressions
max out
1/mˈæks ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
informal
reach maximum limit
To use something as much as you can or until it cannot be used more.
Examples
- I maxed out my credit card this month.
- He maxed out his gym membership hours.
to the max
1/tə ðə mˈæks/
fixed phrase
informal
to the greatest degree possible
As much as possible; completely.
Examples
- They enjoyed the vacation to the max.
- She pushed herself to the max during training.