efficiently
Americanadverb
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in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; capably or competently.
Getting this many people to pass information among themselves efficiently, let alone come up with a coherent plan that everybody understands, requires practice.
-
in a satisfactory and economical way.
The product they are donating will give our volunteers the proper materials to build our homes as efficiently as possible.
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in a way that utilizes a particular resource with the least waste (usually used in combination).
The lighter your car is, the more fuel-efficiently it will drive.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of efficiently
Explanation
If you do something efficiently, you do it productively and quickly. When your dentist efficiently examines your teeth, you are grateful because he does a good job and it's all over quickly. The adverb efficiently has origins in the Latin word efficere, meaning "work out, accomplish." Efficiently can describe any action that's done without wasting time, effort, or materials — and still manages to produce the desired outcome. Today people are using power, fuel, and water more efficiently to conserve natural resources. As a project manager, you efficiently manage your projects so they stay on schedule and under budget.
Vocabulary lists containing efficiently
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Precision fermentation can efficiently adjust the aesthetics, aroma or flavour of a food, but also its digestibility.
From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026
The U.S. energy system is functioning efficiently, helping forestall a global economic crisis that could hit hard at home.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026
The large oil tankers efficiently and relatively cheaply haul about 2 million barrels of oil each, or more than 80 million gallons, double what the next-largest crude tankers, the Suezmaxes, can carry.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 1, 2026
Their solar powered desalination system produces fresh water efficiently, operates without chemical pretreatment, and avoids creating brine waste.
From Science Daily • May 31, 2026
Charles found that he could cook his fried and boiled meals more quickly and efficiently on the forge than he could on the kitchen stove.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
