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.

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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

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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

Workplaces cut unnecessary meetings and inefficient systems, she said, and staff were also able to focus better over four days.

From BBC

Due to their large body size, repeated long distance hopping would have been inefficient.

From Science Daily

Making the most advanced chips in the U.S. would be “extremely expensive and inefficient,” Chang said.

From The Wall Street Journal

Any move toward streamlining India’s large but inefficient economy is welcome.

From The Wall Street Journal

I’ve heard it repeatedly from experts: The greatest risk of working out alone is bad form, leading to inefficient movement, slacking off and higher chance of injury.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• disorganized
• faulty
• feeble
• incompetent
• ineffective
• ineffectual
• inept
• sloppy
• weak