inefficiency

noun

in·​ef·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 

plural inefficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being inefficient

2

: something that is inefficient

Examples of inefficiency in a Sentence

The candidate blamed her opponent for the local government's inefficiency.

She claims that money can be saved by reducing inefficiencies.

Recent Examples on the Web

The greatest pain is often felt in accounts payable, but the inefficiency gets factored in much earlier, when employees are spending company money outside of a structured purchasing process. — Andrew Zhyvolovych, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Expect tax breaks and other incentives to ease the natural inefficiencies for both trillion-dollar companies. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 30 June 2026

Congress has created more than two dozen multi-member agencies led by officials who can be removed by the president only for cause, which typically means instances of inefficiency, neglect of duty or malfeasance in office. — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 29 June 2026

That round-trip dependency introduces both cost inefficiencies and supply chain vulnerability. — Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for inefficiency

• insufficiency
• deficiency
• efficiency
• proficiency
• sufficiency
• immunodeficiency

Kids Definition

inefficiency

noun

in·​ef·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin-ə-ˈfish-ən-sē 

plural inefficiencies

1

: the quality or state of being inefficient

2

: something that is inefficient