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

Groups such as Human Rights Watch, Freedom House, Access Now, Article 19 and others have warned that the convention’s human rights safeguards are inefficient. — Mary Lind, The Conversation, 21 Oct. 2026

States of uncertainty that cannot be resolved can be particularly inefficient. — Maia Szalavitz, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Sometimes business teams simply don’t know what’s possible and keep operating in traditional, inefficient ways. — Ken Feyder, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Pairing that with an inefficient ground game that has seen Dallas muster just 98 yards combined over two weeks has put the offense in an early season hole. — Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 Oct. 2026

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