efficient
[adjective]
Synonyms: competent, businesslike, capable, economic, effective, organized, productive, proficient, well-organized, workmanlike

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Antonyms: inefficient
Contrasted words: incapable, incompetent, inexpert, unadept, unproficient, unqualified, unsuitable, unproductive, ineffectual
Related Words: able, capable, competent, fitted, qualified, adept, expert, masterly, proficient, skilled, skillful

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

ef‧fi‧cient S3 W3 /ɪˈfɪʃənt/ adjective
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin; Origin: present participle of efficere; ⇒ effect¹]
if someone or something is efficient, they work well without wasting time, money, or energy Antonym : inefficient:
a very efficient secretary
an efficient use of land
Lighting is now more energy efficient.
—efficiently adverb

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

efficient
adj.
VERBS appear, be, look, seem, sound | become | make sth
ADV. extremely, highly, really, remarkably, very | fully, perfectly The procedure is not fully efficient: improvements could be made. We already have a perfectly efficient system?why change it?
increasingly | fairly, pretty, quite, reasonably, relatively | briskly, quietly The receptionist was briskly efficient. A quietly efficient manservant brought them coffee and brandy.
formidably, incredibly, superbly, supremely His secretary was formidably efficient: her minutes were works of art.
economically, mechanically, technically
PREP. at Their equipment was not as efficient at finding gold as today's machinery.
in The heating system is very efficient in its use of of fuel.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

efficient

extremely/highly efficient
The factory is modern and highly efficient.
an efficient way
Email is an efficient way of contacting a large number of people.
an efficient method
The railways used to provide a cheap efficient method of travel.
an efficient means
The tram is a very efficient means of transport.
an efficient system
We need a more efficient system for collecting money.
an efficient service
We aim to provide our clients with an efficient and friendly service.
the efficient use of something
We must work towards the more efficient use of all natural resources.
the efficient operation of something
The law must protect investors without interfering with the efficient operation of the market.
energy/fuel efficient (=not wasting any fuel or energy)
an energy efficient heating system
cost efficient (=costing or spending as little as possible)
The larger a firm becomes the more cost efficient it can become.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

efficient
adjective
BAD: The medicine proved very efficient.
GOOD: The medicine proved very effective.
BAD: We need more efficient ways of dealing with pollution or the problem will get worse.
GOOD: We need more effective ways of dealing with pollution or the problem will get worse.

Usage Note:
efficient = working quickly and without waste: 'The more efficient the engine, the less petrol it uses.' 'Since the new software was installed, library services have become much more efficient.'
effective = having the desired effect: 'There are many effective ways of using computers for training purposes.' 'The advertisement was simple, but remarkably effective.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲