inefficiency
Americannoun
-
inefficiencies
plural
-
the quality or condition of being inefficient; lack of efficiency.
-
an instance of inefficiency.
This work is riddled with inefficiencies.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of inefficiency
First recorded in 1740–50; ineffici(ent) + -ency
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.
See Examples For:
Then there is the inefficiency of running the meatpacking plants at much less than full capacity.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
However, when the goal is to increase energy expenditure and reduce fat accumulation, this type of inefficiency can actually work in the body's favor.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 3, 2026
But the inefficiency sent his pitch count past 80 before he exited with runners on first and second in the fifth.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2026
Board members can only be removed for cause, meaning malfeasance, inefficiency, or neglect in their duties.
From Slate ● Apr. 24, 2026
“It made me feel good that there was such inefficiency to this market,” he said.
From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis
Existing contracts are recognized but will be reviewed to ensure there is no structural underinvoicing or revenue lost because of manipulation or inefficiencies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
The tendency to justify women’s chronic underpayment rather than address it reproduces inefficiencies that come at a high cost to America’s families, organizations and broader economy.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 26, 2026
The thing is, Pratt made some strong points about the inefficiencies of L.A.’s political status quo and the outrage that is having tens of thousands of people live on our streets.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026
Supporters of the overhaul argue that the previous system contained an excessive number of overlapping or rarely used categories, which created administrative inefficiencies without significantly improving religious accommodation or support.
From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026
When George began to watch the Washington oarsmen on the water, he quickly spotted inefficiencies and deficiencies in the mechanics of their stroke that no amount of fiddling with a skeleton could fix.
From "The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics" by Daniel James Brown
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.
