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

Both of these components have to work well in order for the system to be efficient, but efforts to optimize them have focused more on the PV cell.

From Science Daily

Safdi and his colleagues realized that that process is not very efficient at producing gamma rays, or at least not enough to detect from Earth.

From Science Daily

Powered by Advocatia Solutions, Inc., the new tool also allows customers to find relevant state resources to make the enrollment process more efficient.

From Salon

"Such a central place makes the process more efficient," says De Luca.

From Science Daily

While plants like rice continued using an old form of photosynthesis known as C3, others like corn and sorghum developed a newer and more efficient version called C4.

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.