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efficient Definition

ef·fi·cient (e fis̸h′ənt, i-)

adjective

  1. directly producing an effect or result; causative; effective the efficient cause
  2. producing a desired effect, product, etc. with a minimum of effort, expense, or waste; working well

Etymology: ME & OFr < L efficiens, prp. of efficere: see effect

efficient Related Forms

ef·fi′·ciently adverb

efficient Synonyms

efficient

modif.

  1. Said of persons

    competent, businesslike, proficient, productive, good at, apt, adequate, fitted, able, capable, qualified, skillful, effective, clever, talented, energetic, skilled, adapted, familiar with, deft, adept, expert, experienced, having the requisite skill, workmanlike, having adequate energy, equal to, drilled, exercised, practiced, practical, accomplished, potent, active, dynamic, decisive, tough, shrewd, highpowered*; see also sense 2; able 2.

    Antonyms incompetent*, inefficient*, unproductive. *

  2. Said of things

    economical, fitting, suitable, suited, effectual, effective, efficacious, adequate, serviceable, useful, profitable, saving, thrifty, labor-saving, time-saving, valuable, expedient, handy, conducive, well-designed, streamlined, cost-effective, unwasteful, practical, good for.

    Antonyms inefficient, ineffectual, wasteful*. See syn. study at effective.effective.

efficient Usage Examples

Modifying Another Word

  • computationally: The technique is computationally efficient and allows the calculation of the properties of interacting elements.
  • thermally: The soft, thermally efficient TKA 100 Crew provides warmth without weight and a comfortable, pullover style, zip free fit.
  • economically: Happiness economics would target unemployment beyond what is economically efficient to what is optimal for well-being.
  • highly: The capital city has a highly efficient public transport system.
  • ruthlessly: He was known to be ruthlessly efficient, but somewhat of a showman.
  • remarkably: Most welcome is the simple, but remarkably efficient, currency converter.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • make: Having less " capture area " is what makes this antenna less efficient.
  • become: In fact many industrial users have already become much more energy efficient.

Modifies a noun

  • manner: You'll have the highest quality images stored in the most efficient manner possible.
  • running: There is a tendency for proceedings to be delayed and for the efficient running of criminal trials to be disturbed.
  • algorithm: To outline some efficient parallel algorithms for solving Linear Algebra Problems.
  • appliance: Trade in schemes for high energy appliances against energy efficient appliances.
  • operation: Additionally, a planned maintenance and inspection program will help ensure efficient brewery process operation.
  • way: Here is an efficient way to delete all files older than a week: find.

Used with adjective complement

  • become: The team would eventually get accustomed to the early starts and become more efficient at getting away from huts without delay.
  • seem: Had some problems however phones answered quickly, politely and staff seemed very efficient.
  • enable: A relatively simple page format is used throughout which enables efficient searching.
  • allow: Advantages: Bolt-on modules allow efficient, formal instruction and avoid duplication and/or omission.

Preposition: in

  • term: Busses are much more efficient in terms of road space and energy per passenger than cars.
  • sense: Efficient in the sense of less network traffic, fewer errors and easier configuration with low maintenance.