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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.

An incredibly efficient shooter, Brown has size and is a three-level scorer who has been a top perimeter defender in the Big 12 and Big Ten.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

The breakthrough not only resolves a long-standing biochemical puzzle, but also points toward cleaner, more efficient methods for producing pharmaceuticals.

From Science Daily • Apr. 11, 2026

A spokesperson for Blackford Energy Park said battery energy storage systems "contribute to energy security, and, importantly, help to create a more efficient, resilient, and affordable energy system."

From BBC • Apr. 11, 2026

“I knew EVs were not as efficient in the winter, but I was surprised how much less efficient,” Shelly adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“We have orders to sort and store by age for efficient observation.”

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera

Vocabulary lists containing efficient

List 1

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Labor Day Lexicon: Words That Put You To Work

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Essential English Vocabulary, List 1

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