Efficient
adjective /ɪˈfɪʃənt/ — Achieving the desired result with the least waste of time, effort, or resources.
Definition
Working or producing results effectively with minimum wasted effort; having or showing competence in one's work by achieving maximum productivity.
Beyond the definition
Efficiency is the discipline of enough — the recognition that excess effort doesn't produce proportionally better results. The efficient person works with precision, not volume. There's a kind of elegance in it.
Origin & history
From Latin efficientem — making, producing (from efficere: to work out, bring about). The word for producing an effect with appropriate means.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She ran meetings efficiently — they started on time, covered the agenda, and ended before anyone checked their phone.
Efficient systems feel invisible — you only notice a system when it fails.
The most efficient approach is rarely the most obvious one; it usually requires thinking before acting.
How to use it
This entry uses an adjective. Follow the examples for the nouns it describes and its position in the sentence.
Choose “Efficient” when the meaning fits your context: Working or producing results effectively with minimum wasted effort; having or showing competence in one's work by achieving maximum productivity.
Synonyms
effective, productive, streamlined, lean, capable
Antonyms
inefficient, wasteful, sluggish, ineffective
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Chef working at stainless station
A chef stands at a clean stainless steel station, julienning vegetables with sharp, precise, and organized movements.
The organized 'mise-en-place' and precise knife work demonstrate achieving maximum productivity with minimal wasted effort. This represents the competence and focus needed to perform work in a highly effective, streamlined manner.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Efficient" mean?
Efficient is adjective meaning: Achieving the desired result with the least waste of time, effort, or resources.. Working or producing results effectively with minimum wasted effort; having or showing competence in one's work by achieving maximum productivity.
Where does the word "Efficient" come from?
From Latin efficientem — making, producing (from efficere: to work out, bring about). The word for producing an effect with appropriate means.