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Definitions

efficient

[ih-fish-uhnt] / ɪˈfɪʃ ənt /
ADJECTIVE
capable, effective
Synonyms
STRONGEST
able active adept adequate capable competent decisive dynamic economical effective energetic potent powerful productive profitable skilled skillful tough useful valuable
WEAK
accomplished adapted apt businesslike clever conducive deft economic effectual efficacious equal to experienced expert familiar with fitted good at good for handy masterly organized practiced proficient qualified ready saving shrewd systematic talented virtuous well-organized
Antonyms
STRONGEST
delicate fragile idle impotent inactive inadequate incapable incompetent ineffective inept lazy sluggish unable unskilled unskillful useless weak worthless
WEAK
helpless inefficient powerless

Usage

What are other ways to say efficient? The adjective efficient, when applied to a person or a thing, implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager. Effective is applied to a person or a thing that has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective boss, remedy, speech. Effectual is used especially of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy. Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But like that first rout, Thursday’s featured a flurry of Lakers turnovers, suffocating Oklahoma City ball pressure and an efficient masterclass from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

A spokesperson for the couple said the stone walls and turfed roof would make it barely visible, and that the energy efficient house would be used as a "family, forever home".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

It’s a big step, seeing as both companies have explored more efficient methods of drug delivery in a bid to differentiate themselves.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

They typically point to rail as being far more fuel efficient for moving goods than trucks.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026

One is quite capable, of course, of working out these destructive passions in more vulgar and less efficient ways.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.