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

These microorganisms appear to be linked with more efficient digestion and higher energy absorption.

Read more on Science Daily

AI that makes humans more efficient and robots that make them less necessary: That’s the future Amazon is building in its e-commerce fulfillment business.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

CEO Lip-Bu Tan emphasized the steady progress in rebuilding the company and making its businesses more efficient.

Read more on Barron's

But the Bezos Earth Fund is looking at how “modern” AI—more efficient AI tools and technology—can be leveraged to protect climate and nature.

Read more on Barron's

That sort of advance could make it easier to find new drugs, materials and chemicals while making every segment of the economy more efficient, experts say.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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.