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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.

That savings helps when it comes to buying appliances like heat pumps, which are the most efficient but tend to be more expensive up front.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

Still, it will be up to industrial companies to build systems that can cool chips in efficient closed-loop systems, with as little waste as possible.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

"The thought behind this is because it's a one-off prom, it's cost efficient instead of buying it all new," she added.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

As it happens, there is a jurisdiction that may soon be in need of efficient, competent and friendly service even more than the state of Washington.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

A caption explained that fins were what made the shark an efficient swimmer.

From "The Line Tender" by Kate Allen

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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