efficient
satisfactory and economical to use: Our new air conditioner is more efficient than our old one.
producing an effect, as a cause; causative.
utilizing a particular commodity or product with the least waste of resources or effort (usually used in combination): a fuel-efficient engine.
Origin of efficient
1Other words for efficient
Other words from efficient
- ef·fi·cient·ly, adverb
- non·ef·fi·cient, adjective
- qua·si-ef·fi·cient, adjective
- su·per·ef·fi·cient, adjective
- un·ef·fi·cient, adjective
Words Nearby efficient
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use efficient in a sentence
Build evidence about the practices, policies, and programs that will achieve the most effective and efficient results.
Can the U.S. Government Go Moneyball? | Peter Orszag, Jim Nussle | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAs more people come online, the most basic tasks—such as going out to the market to sell produce—will become more efficient.
The now-efficient process “once took a month by former means and now actually takes a day,” says Dr. Khan.
“Running is just that much more efficient in expending more calories in a shorter amount of time,” Williams says.
Running 15 Miles a Week Could Slash Alzheimer’s Risk | DailyBurn | December 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBureaucratic inertia is, by long tradition, the most efficient dispatcher of scandals.
The Castration of Alan Turing, Britain’s Code-Breaking WWII Hero | Clive Irving | November 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But the system was unsatisfactory, led to jealousies, weakened discipline, and was not conducive to efficient working.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowSpeaking generally, the Dominion railways are highly efficient and serve their purpose well.
Fifty Years of Railway Life in England, Scotland and Ireland | Joseph TatlowThe disciples of Somers maintained that, if it was right to have an army at all, it must be right to have an efficient army.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington MacaulayIf by chance the detritus accumulates rapidly, the slope is steepened and the work of the torrent made more efficient.
Outlines of the Earth's History | Nathaniel Southgate ShalerTheir labors were so faithful and efficient, that a vote of thanks was tendered them by the Committee.
British Dictionary definitions for efficient
/ (ɪˈfɪʃənt) /
functioning or producing effectively and with the least waste of effort; competent
philosophy producing a direct effect; causative
Origin of efficient
1Derived forms of efficient
- efficiently, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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