efficient
adjective
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Comparing Efficient, Effective, and Proficient
These three words cover some overlapping territory.
Efficient most often describes what is capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy. While the word can be applied to both people and things, it is far more commonly applied to things, such as machines, systems, processes, and organizations. The focus of the word is on how little is wasted or lost while the desired results are produced.
Effective typically describes things—such as policies, treatments, arguments, and techniques—that do what they are intended to do. People can also be described as effective when they accomplish what they set out to accomplish, but the word is far more often applied to things.
Proficient typically describes people, and it often is followed by the preposition at. If you are proficient at something, you are very good at it. You are, in fact, so good at doing it that you are unusually efficient when you do it. One can also be proficient in something, such as a language.
Synonyms
- effective
- effectual
- efficacious
- fruitful
- operative
- potent
- productive
Example Sentences
Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated, 5 Mar. 2001 Short and muscular, he is as efficient as a surgeon, cracking eggs with one hand and tossing the shells into the basket under the counter behind him without looking, flipping bread into the slots of a row of toasters, and literally throwing "to go" orders ten feet down the counter to the guy manning the cash register. Paul Baumann, Commonweal, 18 July 1997 Wilde was wearing two emeralds, … one on the little finger of each hand. That on the left was the efficient cause of all joys, that on the right of misfortunes. Asked why he continued to wear the one on the right, Wilde said, "One needs misfortunes to live happily." Richard Ellmann, Oscar Wilde, (1984) 1988 Originally designed for the preparation of desserts, the woks eventually proved their versatility as efficient vessels for stir-frying, deep-frying, and the reduction of liquids. Kemp Miles Minifie, Gourmet, November 1988 that manual lawn mower is not a very efficient tool for doing a huge yard Caitlin Ostroff, WSJ, 12 Sep. 2022 Like Hoban with Long, Glenville senior quarterback Deonte Rucker enjoyed his most efficient game of the season by completing 6 of 7 passes in the Tarblooders’ Senate League opener. Matt Goul, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2022 Nuclear energy is the cleanest and most efficient energy source currently available, though disasters at some plants have caused some to fear the method. Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2022 Homelessness has become a central issue of the Los Angeles mayoral race; more specifically, the question of what is the smartest, cheapest and most efficient way to provide housing to those living on the street. Ben Poston, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2022 You are primed to be your most efficient and your most interesting self at this time. Chicago Tribune, 4 Sep. 2022 This is the most efficient irrigation and the best way to get water to plant roots, which is the goal of all irrigation. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Sep. 2022 The junior proceeded to lead the Bulldogs on their most efficient drive of the half, which didn't end with a touchdown but at least chipped into St. X's lead. The Courier-Journal, 3 Sep. 2022 Utah State wide receivers vs. Alabama cornerbacks -- Aggies coach Blake Anderson has an offensive background and has produced some of the nation’s most efficient passing offenses the past two seasons. Mike Rodak | Mrodak@al.com, al, 2 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Middle English, "active, immediate (of a cause)," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin efficient-, efficiens "producing or giving rise to something, immediate (of a cause), active," from present participle of efficere "to make, bring about, produce, carry out" — more at effect entry 1
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Phrases Containing efficient
Kids Definition
efficient
adjective
efficient
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- effective
- productive
- potent
- adequate
- efficacious
- effectual
- fruitful
- operative
- useful
- capable
- practical
- skilled
- competent
- proficient
- adept
- practiced
- skillful
- convincing
- expert
- experienced
- hyperefficient
- feasible
- dynamic
- practicable
- cogent
- accomplished
- active
- valid
- functional
- useable
- striking
- ultraefficient
- veteran
- telling
- workable
- usable
- practised
- masterly
- sound
- realizable
- versed
- killer
- virtuoso
- working
- consummate
- applicable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inefficient
- ineffective
- useless
- unproductive
- ineffectual
- incapable
- fruitless
- incompetent
- inoperative
- counterproductive
- unskilled
- inexperienced
- unqualified
- futile
- vain
- unfruitful
- unsuccessful
- empty
- idle
- unprofitable
- abortive
- hollow
- pointless
- worthless
- inexpert
- unskillful
- unseasoned
- inoperative
- unavailing
- bootless
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of efficient are effective, effectual, and efficacious. While all these words mean "producing or capable of producing a result," efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning.
While in some cases nearly identical to efficient, effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.
The words effectual and efficient are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.
The synonyms efficacious and efficient are sometimes interchangeable, but efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.