First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
efficient
adjective ef·fi·cient \i-ˈfi-shənt\
: capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy
Full Definition of EFFICIENT
1
: being or involving the immediate agent in producing an effect <the efficient action of heat in changing water to steam>
2
: productive of desired effects; especially : productive without waste <an efficient worker>
— ef·fi·cient·ly adverb
See efficient defined for English-language learners
See efficient defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Examples of EFFICIENT
- Like a page-turner of a novel, [Nomar] Garciaparra keeps you eager to see what comes next, especially this season, when he will have the most efficient RBI machine in baseball, free-agent signee Manny Ramirez, riding shotgun with him. —Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated, 5 Mar. 2001
- Originally designed for the preparation of desserts, the woks eventually proved their versatility as efficient vessels for stir-frying, deep-frying, and the reduction of liquids. —Kemp Miles Minifie, Gourmet, November 1988
- Wilde was wearing two emeralds, … one on the little finger of each hand. That on the left was the efficient cause of all joys, that on the right of misfortunes. Asked why he continued to wear the one on the right, Wilde said, “One needs misfortunes to live happily.” —Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, (1984) 1988
- Short and muscular, he is as efficient as a surgeon, cracking eggs with one hand and tossing the shells into the basket under the counter behind him without looking, flipping bread into the slots of a row of toasters, and literally throwing “to go” orders ten feet down the counter to the guy manning the cash register. —Paul Baumann, Commonweal, 18 July 1997
- [+]more
Origin of EFFICIENT
Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French, from Latin efficient-, efficiens, from present participle of efficere
Related to EFFICIENT
- Synonyms
- effectual, efficacious, effective, fruitful, operative, potent, productive
- Antonyms
- fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, inoperative, unfruitful, unproductive, useless
Synonym Discussion of EFFICIENT
effective, effectual, efficient, efficacious mean producing or capable of producing a result. effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect <an effective rebuttal>. effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact <the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual>. efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning <an efficient small car>. efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power <a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease>.
Rhymes with EFFICIENT
EFFICIENT Defined for Kids
efficient
adjective ef·fi·cient \i-ˈfi-shənt\
Definition of EFFICIENT for Kids
: capable of bringing about a desired result with little waste (as of time or energy) <an efficient worker>
— ef·fi·cient·ly adverb
Learn More About EFFICIENT
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: efficient causePrevious Word in the Dictionary: efficiency expertAll Words Near: efficient
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up efficient? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).