Definition of EFFICIENT

Choose the Right Synonym for efficient

effective, effectual, efficient, efficacious mean producing or capable of producing a result. effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect. an effective rebuttal effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact. the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning. an efficient small car efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power. a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease

Comparing Efficient, Effective, and Proficient

These three words cover some overlapping territory.

Efficient most often describes what is capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy. While the word can be applied to both people and things, it is far more commonly applied to things, such as machines, systems, processes, and organizations. The focus of the word is on how little is wasted or lost while the desired results are produced.

Effective typically describes things—such as policies, treatments, arguments, and techniques—that do what they are intended to do. People can also be described as effective when they accomplish what they set out to accomplish, but the word is far more often applied to things.

Proficient typically describes people, and it often is followed by the preposition at. If you are proficient at something, you are very good at it. You are, in fact, so good at doing it that you are unusually efficient when you do it. One can also be proficient in something, such as a language.

Examples of efficient in a Sentence

Like a page-turner of a novel, [Nomar] Garciaparra keeps you eager to see what comes next, especially this season, when he will have the most efficient RBI machine in baseball, free-agent signee Manny Ramirez, riding shotgun with him. — Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated, 5 Mar. 2001 Short and muscular, he is as efficient as a surgeon, cracking eggs with one hand and tossing the shells into the basket under the counter behind him without looking, flipping bread into the slots of a row of toasters, and literally throwing "to go" orders ten feet down the counter to the guy manning the cash register. — Paul Baumann, Commonweal, 18 July 1997 Wilde was wearing two emeralds, … one on the little finger of each hand. That on the left was the efficient cause of all joys, that on the right of misfortunes. Asked why he continued to wear the one on the right, Wilde said, "One needs misfortunes to live happily." — Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, (1984) 1988 Originally designed for the preparation of desserts, the woks eventually proved their versatility as efficient vessels for stir-frying, deep-frying, and the reduction of liquids. — Kemp Miles Minifie, Gourmet, November 1988 that manual lawn mower is not a very efficient tool for doing a huge yard

Recent Examples on the Web

These are manufactured to be more energy-efficient than older options and meet Energy Star requirements. — Good Housekeeping, "GH Seal Spotlight: Earthwise Windows," 5 Apr. 2019 In a survey of more than 600 financial economists, 44% said markets are generally efficient. — Jason Zweig, WSJ, "Wall Street Has It Wrong. You’re a Smart Investor.," 22 Feb. 2019 This particular filter is quite large, and according to TopTenReviews.com, that means the evaporation process is more efficient. — Stephanie Shore Fisher, Country Living, "The Honeywell HCM350W Humidifier Is Single-Handedly Helping Me Survive the Winter," 12 Feb. 2019 Heat pumps are ideal for regions with moderate climates, but are less efficient in areas with long, frigid winters. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "How a Heat Pump Works," 14 Jan. 2019 The geothermal plant in Pohang was one of a handful of experimental plants located around the world that seek to make this type of generation more efficient. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "One of the Worst Earthquakes in Korea's History Was Caused by Humans," 21 Mar. 2019 This not only makes your dishwasher more efficient, but also prevents damage. Pour a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe container, and then place it on the upper rack of your empty dishwasher. — Maya Mcdowell, House Beautiful, "You Should Be Cleaning Your Dishwasher Once a Month—Here's How," 15 Feb. 2019 Lower individual rates and fewer breaks for households are designed make the economy more efficient and put more money in the pockets of people to decide on their own whether to spend or save. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: The Tax Cut’s Economic Impact," 15 Feb. 2019 Holiday was an efficient shooter and scorer for Alford’s Bruin squads and has garnered a lot of praise for his commitment to applying himself on the defensive end of the court. — Jordan Guskey, Indianapolis Star, "Steve Alford on Indiana Pacers drafting Aaron Holiday: ‘We thought he would be gone by then’," 25 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'efficient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for efficient

Middle English, "active, immediate (of a cause)," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin efficient-, efficiens "producing or giving rise to something, immediate (of a cause), active," from present participle of efficere "to make, bring about, produce, carry out" — more at effect entry 1

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