being below an optimal level or standard. Also sub·op·ti·mum [suhb-op-tuh-muhm].

Does suboptimal have a hyphen?

Where does suboptimal come from? The first record of suboptimal comes from the early 1900s (when it was often hyphenated as sub-optimal). It is made up of the prefix sub-, meaning “under” or “below,” and optimal, which comes from the Latin word optimus, meaning “best.”

What's the definition of suboptimal?

: less than optimal : not at the best possible level suboptimal performance suboptimal conditions/results/solutions received suboptimal care …