Word
inefficient
Phoneticsin·ef·fi·cient, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/
UK/ɪnɪfˈɪʃənt/
Definitions
01wasting resources
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not using time, money, or energy in the best way.
adj. failing to make the best use of time or resources; wasteful in operation or process.
“The old heating system is very inefficient and costs a lot to run.”
“The audit revealed that the current supply chain is highly inefficient, resulting in significant overhead costs and frequent delivery delays.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02lacking skill or effort
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. not able to do a job well because of a lack of skill or being lazy.
adj. lacking the ability or disposition to perform a task effectively; habitually unproductive.
“The manager was fired because he was inefficient and never finished his reports.”
“The department struggled under an inefficient supervisor who failed to delegate tasks or provide clear instructions to the junior staff.”
Synonyms
03an unproductive person
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal
n. a person who does not work well or wastes time.
n. a person who fails to perform work or duties with the expected level of productivity.
“The company tried to retrain the inefficients before considering layoffs.”
“The historical report criticised the administration for failing to remove the inefficients who had occupied senior bureaucratic positions for decades.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“After years of underinvestment the service is also highly inefficient.” “There was criticism that they were underfunded and inefficient.” Etymology
From in- + efficient.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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