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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.

“The Board and management team are focused on building a more efficient, profitable business while investing with discipline in our long-term road map,” Lynton said.

From The Wall Street Journal

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

From The Wall Street Journal

The rise in fuel prices will be toughest for smaller airlines, especially those that fly older jets that are less energy efficient, Terry said.

From BBC

The vessels have a deeper draught - the amount of hull below the waterline - than most CalMac ships, allowing for a sleeker, more fuel efficient shape.

From BBC

“I went to see how these little stores in New York got their supplies, and I really thought it was very rudimentary and not very efficient,” he said during the talk in 2011.

From The Wall Street Journal

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