efficient
ih-FIH-shuhnt
Efficient (adj) means achieving maximum results with minimum wasted time, effort, or resources. Example: “The new engine is far more fuel-efficient than the old model.”
adj
1
Achieving maximum results with minimum wasted time, effort, or resources.
"The new engine is far more fuel-efficient than the old model."
"She's an efficient worker who never wastes a minute."
"An efficient bus service gets commuters across the city in half the time."
How to use efficient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something well without wasting resources — the opposite of wasteful or sloppy.
Common mistake
Efficient is about minimizing waste; effective is about achieving the goal at all. Something can be effective without being efficient, and vice versa.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
energy efficient
time efficient
highly efficient
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like efficient.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- efficients
- Comparative
- more efficient
- Superlative
- most efficient
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new engine is far more fuel-_____ than the old model.
Etymology
From Latin efficientem, "bringing about, accomplishing" — from the same root as effect and effective.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for efficient
See all rhymes for efficient →Frequently asked questions
What does “efficient” mean?
The word “efficient” means achieving maximum results with minimum wasted time, effort, or resources. In plain terms, doing something well without wasting resources — the opposite of wasteful or sloppy.
How do you pronounce “efficient”?
“Efficient” is pronounced ih-FIH-shuhnt (/ɪˈfɪʃənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “efficient” in a sentence?
Here is “efficient” used in a sentence: “The new engine is far more fuel-efficient than the old model.”
What is another word for “efficient”?
Words with a similar meaning to “efficient” include economical, efficacious and potent.
What is the opposite of “efficient”?
The opposite of “efficient” — its antonyms — are inefficient, prodigal and uneconomical.
What part of speech is “efficient”?
“Efficient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “efficient” come from?
The word “efficient” comes from Latin. From Latin efficientem, "bringing about, accomplishing" — from the same root as effect and effective.
Is “efficient” a common word?
“Efficient” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between efficient and effective?
Effective means getting the intended result — doing the right thing. Efficient means getting it done with the least waste of time, effort, or resources — doing the thing economically. A method can be effective but slow and costly, or efficient yet aimed at the wrong goal. Ideally you want both.
What is an example of being efficient?
Finishing the same task in less time, or with less energy, money, or material. A fuel-efficient car travels farther on a gallon, and an efficient worker clears the same workload with fewer wasted steps. The outcome is as good or better, while the cost of achieving it is lower.
Is "efficient" a positive word?
Yes. Calling a person, machine, or process efficient is a compliment, praising good results achieved without waste. The one caution is that being efficient at the wrong task isn't much use, which is why efficiency is usually valued alongside effectiveness — doing the right thing well.
What is the opposite of efficient?
Inefficient — wasteful of time, effort, or resources, or slow to produce results. Related opposites include wasteful, disorganized, and uneconomical. An inefficient process uses more than it needs to achieve the same outcome, so improving efficiency means cutting that waste.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include efficient:
