efficient

[ ih-fish-uhnt ]

adjective

1. performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable:

   a reliable, efficient assistant.

   Synonyms: effectual

2. satisfactory and economical to use:

   Our new air conditioner is more efficient than our old one.

3. producing an effect, as a cause; causative.
4. utilizing a particular commodity or product with the least waste of resources or effort (usually used in combination):

   a fuel-efficient engine.

efficient

/ ɪˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

1. functioning or producing effectively and with the least waste of effort; competent
2. philosophy producing a direct effect; causative

Derived Forms

• efˈficiently, adverb

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of efficient¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin efficient- (stem of efficiēns ), equivalent to ef- ef- + fic-, combining form of facere “to make, do ¹ ” + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of efficient¹

C14: from Latin efficiēns effecting

Example Sentences

Malaria vaccines have been developed, but are not broadly available or very efficient in preventing disease.

From Science Daily

This approach is expected to accelerate the development of more efficient gene therapies.

From Science Daily

"We have improved on that design. Our new soft robot is more energy efficient and reaches a speed of 6.8 body lengths per second. In addition, the previous model could only swim on the surface of the water. Our new robot is capable of swimming up and down throughout the water column."

From Science Daily

"What's striking to me is that this confirms a lot of data from other sites. For example, the animal parts left at Clovis sites are dominated by megafauna, and the projectile points are large, affixed to darts, which were efficient distance weapons," said co-lead author Ben Potter, an archaeology professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

From Science Daily

The process took less than 40 minutes, a highly efficient rate that surpasses the capacity of existing bioprinting technologies.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• able
• active
• adept
• adequate
• capable
• competent
• decisive
• dynamic
• economical
• effective
• energetic
• potent
• powerful
• productive
• profitable
• skilled
• skillful
• tough
• useful
• valuable