inefficiency

[in-i-fish-uhn-see]

noun

plural

inefficiencies 

1. the quality or condition of being inefficient; lack of efficiency.

2. an instance of inefficiency.

   This work is riddled with inefficiencies.

Word History and Origins

Origin of inefficiency¹

First recorded in 1740–50; ineffici(ent) + -ency

Example Sentences

Pakistan's ageing power grid is plagued by inefficiencies, with significant amounts of energy lost during transmission and widespread theft.

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The law doesn’t define “cause,” though it is often understood to be related to inefficiency, a neglect of duty or misconduct in office.

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The fund was capped at $10 billion because beyond that size, the strategies would move markets too much — destroying the very inefficiencies they exploited.

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For dispensary owners, wading through government inefficiency burns precious capital.

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“It made me feel good that there was such inefficiency to this market,” he said.

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Related Words

• carelessness 
• disorganization 
• inability