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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.

With the invention of an efficient cotton gin in the 1790s, cotton planting spread rapidly across the Deep South as far west as Texas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

Magyar's promise to build "a more humane, efficient country" resonates with all those fed up with the governing party, especially the young.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2026

I realized I had become a highly efficient machine for other people’s needs and had lost track of my own.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The optical wireless system uses laser sources that are inherently energy efficient and capable of high-speed operation without complex power demands.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

For my part, I’d become an expert at walking quickly and lowering my gaze when passing through public spaces, which helped keep things efficient.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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