ENGLISH
REFERENCE

UEFI

n.
Definition

n. Stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. It is the modern software that starts your computer and connects the hardware to the operating system.

n. Abbreviation for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. A specification for a software program that connects a computer's firmware to its operating system, replacing the legacy BIOS standard.


SIMPLE

You can change the boot order in the UEFI settings.

CONTEXTUAL

When building a new PC, you must ensure the motherboard supports UEFI to take advantage of faster boot times and larger hard drives.

COMPLEX

The transition from legacy BIOS to UEFI allowed for more robust pre-boot security features, such as Secure Boot, which prevents unsigned code from executing during the startup process.

Origin

An initialism formed from Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. The term was adopted to succeed the original EFI specification, which was developed by Intel.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Usage

Often used as a modifier before another noun, such as 'UEFI settings' or 'UEFI mode'.

Related words

Last updated July 22, 2026