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

used inefficient measures

inefficient noun

inefficiently adverb

Synonyms of inefficient

• 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

There, those processes were separated, creating inefficient use of time and interruptions to a presentation. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025

And who wants an inefficient clean? —Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2025

Officials said this summer that the cooperative’s longtime processing facilities here had become outdated and inefficient. —Hector Amezcua, Sacbee.com, 21 Nov. 2025

Removing penny pickups eliminates one of their most inefficient services, reducing fuel use, labor hours and truck wear. —Nancy Forster-Holt, The Conversation, 20 Nov. 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