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Synonyms

inefficient

American  
[in-i-fish-uhnt] / ˌɪn ɪˈfɪʃ ənt /

adjective

  1. not efficient; unable to effect or achieve the desired result with reasonable economy of means.

  2. lacking in ability, incompetent.


inefficient British  
/ ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

  1. unable to perform a task or function to the best advantage; wasteful or incompetent

  2. unable to produce the desired result

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See incapable.

Other Word Forms

  • inefficiency noun
  • inefficiently adverb

Etymology

Origin of inefficient

First recorded in 1740–50; in- 3 + efficient

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.

In opposition to the efficient-market hypothesis, which holds that stock prices reflect all available information, Haugen argued that “the pathetically inefficient market doesn’t seem to have a clue as to what is going on.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Speaking at the fund's announcement on Thursday, Lyons said the fund would "transform low-income households, modernising energy inefficient homes".

From BBC

“It risks becoming inequitable and inefficient,” she said.

From The Wall Street Journal

"If organization breaks down, production becomes very inefficient."

From Science Daily

It added: "There is a risk that our school infrastructure will not reflect future demand, leading to inefficient use of assets and missed opportunities for learners."

From BBC