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noun

inefficiency

Inefficiency (noun) means the quality of wasting time, effort, or resources instead of working well. Example: “The audit uncovered serious inefficiency in how the warehouse handled orders.”

noun
1
The quality of wasting time, effort, or resources instead of working well.
"The audit uncovered serious inefficiency in how the warehouse handled orders."
"Cutting out inefficiency saved the company thousands each month."

How to use inefficiency

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWasted effort — doing something in a way that costs more time, money, or energy than it should.

Common pairings
root out inefficiency operational inefficiency a source of inefficiency

Word forms

inefficiencies plural

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The audit uncovered serious _____ in how the warehouse handled orders.

Etymology

From in- + efficiency, from Latin efficientia.

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for inefficiency

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Frequently asked questions

What does “inefficiency” mean?

The word “inefficiency” means the quality of wasting time, effort, or resources instead of working well. In plain terms, wasted effort — doing something in a way that costs more time, money, or energy than it should.

How do you use “inefficiency” in a sentence?

Here is “inefficiency” used in a sentence: “The audit uncovered serious inefficiency in how the warehouse handled orders.”

What part of speech is “inefficiency”?

“Inefficiency” is a noun.

Where does the word “inefficiency” come from?

The word “inefficiency” comes from Latin. From in- + efficiency, from Latin efficientia.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial