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

Beyond being an operational inefficiency, this is a structural inequity embedded within the architecture of global trade itself. —Meelan Gupta, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

The rest of the energy is either kept in the tokamak to maintain the fusion reactions or lost due to inefficiencies in the heat and energy transfer of the system. —ArsTechnica, 9 June 2026

There are inefficiencies in a fire aviation system spread between agencies. —Abe Streep, ProPublica, 9 June 2026

The industry’s push for harmonized rules is a recognition that fragmentation imposes its own monopoly — one of inefficiency, higher prices and stalled digital adoption. —Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 8 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