efficiently
Americanadverb
-
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.
-
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
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
myPerspectives 7.4
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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.
The company’s SGLang software engine makes AI models process queries more efficiently and at lower cost by better utilizing short-term memory.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026
Quantum advantage refers to a system’s ability to outperform classical computers at a range of tasks, doing so more efficiently, accurately, and inexpensively.
From Barron's • May 5, 2026
"If we can efficiently convert waste plastics into clean fuels using sunlight, we can address pollution and energy challenges at the same time."
From Science Daily • May 4, 2026
Pipelines lose “pressure flexibility,” terminals cannot load efficiently, refiners struggle to secure the right grades on time and traders bid aggressively for nearby supply, they noted.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 30, 2026
Then she quickly and efficiently set two more in at the next two beads.
From "A Place to Belong" by Cynthia Kadohata
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.
