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

Such devices are already used for some applications, but efforts to bring them to industrial scale have tended to fall short due to economics or mechanical inefficiency. — Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

My first priority is making sure Orange County is using existing taxpayer dollars effectively by improving performance, eliminating inefficiencies, and pursuing every available state and federal funding opportunity. — Scott Maxwell, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Billions of dollars are lost every year in improper payments and bureaucratic inefficiency. — Joseph "joe" Kaufman, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

Those commencement boos came from a young generation that has watched AI reframe entry-level work as inefficiency, seen generative content flood the visual landscape, and built their own creative identities through friction and craft. — Reid Litman, Fortune, 5 July 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