inefficient

adjective

in·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shənt 

: not efficient: such as

a

: wasteful of time or energy

inefficient operating procedures

b

: incapable, incompetent

an inefficient worker

c

: not producing the effect intended or desired

inefficient noun

inefficiently adverb

Synonyms

• unsuccessful
• ineffective
• counterproductive

Examples of inefficient in a Sentence

The delivery system was very inefficient.

an inefficient use of fuel

Recent Examples on the Web

This, in turn, can lead to costly and inefficient repairs that not only disrupt traffic flow but also shorten the lifespan of the roadway. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025

Without scale, businesses remain inefficient and uncompetitive. —Emeka Ajene, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

However, leaders can have a tendency to try to optimize inefficient processes with shiny new tech instead of questioning their existence. —Mike Hoffman, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2025

The festival celebrates the Milwaukee origins of the universal, yet inefficient QWERTY keyboard in worldwide use. —Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1750, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for inefficient

• beneficent
• coefficient
• insufficient
• deficient
• efficient
• omniscient
• proficient
• sufficient

Kids Definition

inefficient

adjective

in·​ef·​fi·​cient ˌin-ə-ˈfish-ənt 

1

: not producing the effect expected or desired

inefficient regulations

2

: wasteful of time or energy

inefficient procedures

especially : accomplishing little relative to the time spent or effort expended

an inefficient worker

inefficiently adverb