efficient

[ ih-fish-uhnt ]

adjective

1. performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable:

   a reliable, efficient assistant.

   Synonyms: effectual

2. satisfactory and economical to use:

   Our new air conditioner is more efficient than our old one.

3. producing an effect, as a cause; causative.
4. utilizing a particular commodity or product with the least waste of resources or effort (usually used in combination):

   a fuel-efficient engine.

efficient

/ ɪˈfɪʃənt /

adjective

1. functioning or producing effectively and with the least waste of effort; competent
2. philosophy producing a direct effect; causative

Derived Forms

• efˈficiently, adverb

Other Words From

• ef·fi·cient·ly adverb
• non·ef·fi·cient adjective
• qua·si-ef·fi·cient adjective
• su·per·ef·fi·cient adjective
• un·ef·fi·cient adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of efficient¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin efficient- (stem of efficiēns ), equivalent to ef- ef- + fic-, combining form of facere “to make, do ¹ ” + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of efficient¹

C14: from Latin efficiēns effecting

Example Sentences

The storage and processing facilities required for the tritium can also be made much smaller and more efficient.

From Science Daily

Although they are committed to the run with Dobbins and fellow former Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards, who also signed with the Chargers during free agency, the Chargers are not always efficient.

From Los Angeles Times

The Project 2025 folks and their adherents in the coming Trump White House don’t want to make Medicaid more efficient, as they claim.

From Los Angeles Times

The team hopes that their new bio-inspired microfluidic fabrication technique could be used in various fields of science and engineering, potentially leading to more efficient microreactors, advanced heat exchangers, and innovative tissue engineering scaffolds.

From Science Daily

Unlike previously reported porous organic crystals, the Janus crystals combine water-collection and water-delivery functions at their surface, creating a highly efficient water harvesting process that maximizes the amount of collected water at ambient conditions.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• able
• active
• adept
• adequate
• capable
• competent
• decisive
• dynamic
• economical
• effective
• energetic
• potent
• powerful
• productive
• profitable
• skilled
• skillful
• tough
• useful
• valuable

When To Use

What are other ways to say efficient?

A person or a thing that is efficient performs or functions in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort. But efficient isn’t quite the same as effectual, efficacious, or effective! Find out why on Thesaurus.com.