inefficient

adjective in·ef·fi·cient \ ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shənt \

Definition of inefficient

:not efficient: such as

a :not producing the effect intended or desired

b :wasteful of time or energy

inefficient operating procedures

c :incapable, incompetent

an inefficient worker

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inefficient

noun

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inefficiently

adverb

See inefficient defined for English-language learners

See inefficient defined for kids

Examples of inefficient in a Sentence

The delivery system was very inefficient.
an inefficient use of fuel

Recent Examples of inefficient from the Web

Cuba opened to private business because the state firms that control most of the economy are widely acknowledged to be inefficient and slow and plagued by poor workmanship and pilferage.

— andrea rodriguez, The Seattle Times, "Cuba struggling to keep professionals from leaving," 15 Aug. 2017
Beijing's plans to shut more inefficient and heavily polluting mines and mills this winter have triggered a fresh spike in prices for iron ore and steel reinforcing bars.

— reuters, Fortune, "The Pace of China’s Economic Growth Slowed Last Month," 13 Aug. 2017
The problem was, the light fixtures were expensive and inefficient.

— National Geographic, "Your Greens Might Soon Be Grown in Warehouses," 11 Aug. 2017
That reduces efficiency in a system that is inefficient and complicated to start with, Williams said.

— lisa demer, Alaska Dispatch News, "Overweight Bethel water trucks causing problems for city and DOT," 7 Aug. 2017
Committee members thus worried the technique was too inefficient and risky to improve on current IVF procedures, Mitalipov recalls.

— kelly servick, Science | AAAS, "First U.S.-based group to edit human embryos brings practice closer to clinic," 2 Aug. 2017
During five of six losses last season, the Wolfpack barely scored 20 points thanks to an inefficient offense and poor play in the kicking game.

— safid deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "College football rankings: NC State Wolfpack," 18 July 2017
Still, working these tiny muscles all by their lonesome is terribly inefficient for the vast majority of women who are looking to get the biggest benefits out of every bead of sweat.

— k. aleisha fetters, SELF, "The 7 Most Overrated Strength Machines at the Gym," 13 July 2017
The FBI has complained that the blocky, concrete behemoth — named for the agency’s first and longest-serving director — is obsolete, inefficient and no longer meets the needs of an organization that has grown dramatically in the last 40 years.

— sadie gurman, The Seattle Times, "Government scraps search for new FBI headquarters," 11 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'inefficient.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of inefficient

1750

inefficient Synonyms

INEFFICIENT Defined for English Language Learners

inefficient

adjective

Definition of inefficient for English Language Learners

: not capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy : not efficient

INEFFICIENT Defined for Kids

inefficient

adjective in·ef·fi·cient \ ˌi-nə-ˈfi-shənt \

Definition of inefficient for Students

1 :not effective :ineffectual

an inefficient repair

2 :not capable of bringing about a desired result with little waste

inefficient workers

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inefficiently

adverb

Learn More about inefficient

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Examples of inefficient in a Sentence

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INEFFICIENT Defined for English Language Learners

inefficient

Definition of inefficient for English Language Learners

INEFFICIENT Defined for Kids

inefficient

Definition of inefficient for Students

inefficiently

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