Definitions

efficient

[ih-fish-uhnt] / ɪˈfɪʃ ənt /

ADJECTIVE

capable, effective

Synonyms

STRONGEST

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

WEAK

accomplished adapted apt businesslike clever conducive deft economic effectual efficacious equal to experienced expert familiar with fitted good at good for handy masterly organized practiced proficient qualified ready saving shrewd systematic talented virtuous well-organized

Antonyms

STRONGEST

delicate fragile idle impotent inactive inadequate incapable incompetent ineffective inept lazy sluggish unable unskilled unskillful useless weak worthless

WEAK

helpless inefficient powerless

Usage

What are other ways to say efficient? The adjective efficient, when applied to a person or a thing, implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager. Effective is applied to a person or a thing that has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective boss, remedy, speech. Effectual is used especially of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy. Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Niccol said in an interview Wednesday that the company needs to examine where it can get more efficient through technology when it comes to its staffing.

From The Wall Street Journal

Chief among those critics was Homan, who argued for sticking to tried-and-true police tactics of developing and pursuing specific targets, which he said would prove more efficient, according to people familiar with the matter.

From The Wall Street Journal

"For me, it is about reforms that make our country faster and more efficient, unlock potential and remove bureaucratic hurdles."

From Barron's

"We have developed an efficient and flexible method to guide disease-causing proteins, whether inside or outside the cell, into the body's natural recycling system, where they can be broken down and removed," said Professor Shi.

From Science Daily

Heat pumps are more efficient than gas boilers.

From BBC

efficient

Usage

Example Sentences

Related Words