efficiency

The word “efficiency” means the quality of using time, energy, or resources well without unnecessary waste. In plain terms, getting the most result out of the least waste of time, effort, or resources; also American English slang for a tiny one-room apartment.

“Efficiency” is pronounced ih-FIHSH-uhn-see (/ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ in IPA).

Here is “efficiency” used in a sentence: “The new software improved the factory's efficiency significantly.”

“Efficiency” is a noun.

The word “efficiency” comes from Latin. From Latin efficientia, related to efficient.

“Efficiency” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Efficiency” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of using time, energy, or resources well without unnecessary waste.

Efficiency is about using time, energy, or resources well, without unnecessary waste; effectiveness is about actually producing the intended result. A process can be efficient but ineffective (fast and cheap but achieving the wrong outcome) or effective but inefficient (successful but wasteful). Ideally, a process is both.

Efficacy means the ability to produce a desired result at all, and is common in scientific and medical contexts, such as the efficacy of a drug. Efficiency measures how well time, energy, or resources are used in producing that result. A treatment can have high efficacy but be delivered inefficiently.

In American English, an efficiency (or efficiency apartment) is a small self-contained apartment, typically with one main room that combines living and sleeping space. It is broadly similar to a studio apartment, and the term is common in US rental listings.

Productivity measures how much output is produced, often per hour or per worker, while efficiency measures how little waste is involved in producing it. Raising productivity means making more; raising efficiency means making the same amount with fewer resources. The two often improve together but are not identical.