inefficient
Inefficient (adjective) means not making good use of time, energy, or resources; wasteful. Example: “The old boiler is inefficient and burns far more gas than a modern one.”
How to use inefficient
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWasting resources to get a result — the opposite of doing something the smart, economical way.
Word forms
more inefficient comparative, inefficients plural, most inefficient superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old boiler is _____ and burns far more gas than a modern one.
Etymology
From in- + efficient, from Latin efficientem, "effective, powerful."
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for inefficient
See all rhymes for inefficient →Frequently asked questions
What does “inefficient” mean?
The word “inefficient” means not making good use of time, energy, or resources; wasteful. In plain terms, wasting resources to get a result — the opposite of doing something the smart, economical way.
How do you pronounce “inefficient”?
“Inefficient” is pronounced ihn-ih-FIHSH-uhnt (/ˌɪn.ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/ in IPA).
How do you use “inefficient” in a sentence?
Here is “inefficient” used in a sentence: “The old boiler is inefficient and burns far more gas than a modern one.”
What is the opposite of “inefficient”?
The opposite of “inefficient” — its antonyms — is efficient.
What part of speech is “inefficient”?
“Inefficient” is an adjective.
Where does the word “inefficient” come from?
The word “inefficient” comes from Latin. From in- + efficient, from Latin efficientem, "effective, powerful.".
Is “inefficient” a common word?
“Inefficient” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “inefficient” have?
“Inefficient” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not making good use of time, energy, or resources; wasteful.