inefficient

[in-i-fish-uhnt]

adjective

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

2. lacking in ability, incompetent.

inefficient

/ ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

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

2. unable to produce the desired result

Other Word Forms

• inefficiently adverb
• inefficiency noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inefficient¹

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

Synonym Study

See incapable.

Example Sentences

At times, Atlas struggled with clicking the correct button; it was like watching my toddler feed himself—inefficient but ultimately successful.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One possibility would be to grow each organoid in a separate dish, but doing so is often inefficient.

Read more on Science Daily

Healthcare is wildly inefficient with slow drug development, doctors overburdened with administrative tasks and a claims system that’s overly arduous and time-consuming, the analysts say.

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"Too much investment can also become inefficient," she said.

Read more on Barron's

A throw built on generating torque from his legs to his hips and on through his shoulder and lengthy right arm, instead started to look inefficient and uncomfortable.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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