efficient
gb/ɪfˈɪʃənt/ us/ɪfˈɪʃənt/
B1
English
~ 2300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Working well with no waste
Doing something in a way that saves time, energy, or resources.
Usage pattern:
[someone/something] is efficient at [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'efficient' with 'effective'. 'Efficient' means achieving results with minimal waste; 'effective' means achieving the intended result regardless of effort or waste.
Synonyms
effective (Focuses on achieving the desired result, not necessarily with minimal waste.)
|
productive (Emphasizes producing a lot or achieving much, possibly with efficiency.)
Antonyms
inefficient (Fails to achieve results without wasting time or resources.)
|
wasteful (Uses more resources than necessary, often carelessly.)
Collocations
highly efficient
|energy efficient
|efficient system
|efficient process
|efficient worker
Themes
business
|daily life
|productivity
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new software is much more efficient than the old one.
- She is an efficient manager who always meets deadlines.
- Solar panels are an efficient way to generate electricity.
- The car's engine is extremely efficient, using very little fuel.
- We need an efficient plan to finish the project on time.
Learner examples
- This machine is very efficient.
- My car is efficient and uses less gas.
- He is efficient at his job.
- We have an efficient system for cleaning.
- The new printer is efficient.
Grammar
Dictionary form
efficient
IPA
GB/ɪfˈɪʃənt/
US/ɪfˈɪʃənt/
Syllables & stress
ef - fi - cient (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fi)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: efficient
Word family
Expressions
cost efficient
1/kˈɔst ɪfˈɪʃənt/
fixed phrase
Achieving results with low cost
Doing something well while spending little money.
Examples
- Online marketing can be more cost efficient than TV ads.
- We found a cost efficient way to manufacture the product.
energy efficient
1/ˈɛnɚd͡ʒi ɪfˈɪʃənt/
fixed phrase
Using little energy for output
Using less energy to do the same work.
Examples
- LED bulbs are more energy efficient than traditional light bulbs.
- The building was designed to be highly energy efficient.
time efficient
1/tˈaɪm ɪfˈɪʃənt/
fixed phrase
Using little time for result
Doing something in less time without losing quality.
Examples
- This method is more time efficient than the old one.
- We need a time efficient process for data entry.