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

Other Word Forms

• efficiently adverb
• nonefficient adjective
• quasi-efficient adjective
• superefficient adjective
• unefficient 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

Enel has been trying to be more efficient and is buying back shares, while most U.S. utilities issue shares to fund operations.

Read more on Barron's

USC won’t have the luxury of waiting that long this week, up against one of the few offenses in college football scoring at a more efficient clip.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

They include several specialists in McKinsey’s fast-growing QuantumBlack unit, which helps companies use AI to speed up processes or make them more efficient.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Experts are divided on whether it is more efficient to keep your heating on permanently at a lower temperature or switch it on and off as required.

Read more on BBC

Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, in charge of housing at the local authority, said the service helped residents "find out what support is available to help them heat their homes in an efficient and environmentally friendly way".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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

When To Use

What are other ways to say efficient?

A person or a thing that is efficient performs or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort. But efficient isn’t quite the same as effectual, efficacious, or effective! Find out why on Thesaurus.com.