Inefficient: meaning, definitions and examples

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inefficient

[ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

use of resources

Not achieving maximum productivity; wasteful or ineffective.

Synonyms

ineffective, unproductive, wasteful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inefficient	When something requires more time, effort, or resources than necessary. The old heating system is very inefficient Inefficient processes can lead to higher operational costs
ineffective	When something does not produce the desired result or outcome. The medication was ineffective in treating the disease Ineffective measures were taken to stop the spread of the virus
wasteful	When something involves unnecessary use or expenditure, often in a way that could have been avoided. Leaving the lights on all night is wasteful His lifestyle is very wasteful with resources
unproductive	When little to no progress or results are achieved, often related to work or effort. The meeting was unproductive as no decisions were made Spending hours on social media can be unproductive

Examples of usage

It's inefficient to use paper when we have digital tools available.
The old printer is very inefficient compared to the new model.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

energy consumption

Not using energy or resources in an effective way.

Synonyms

ineffective, inept, wasteful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
inefficient	When something or someone uses too many resources (time, energy, money) to achieve a result that could be reached with fewer resources. The new factory process is inefficient and requires a lot of manual adjustments His workflow is inefficient, leading to a lot of wasted time
ineffective	When something or someone fails to produce the desired outcome or result, despite efforts being made. The new marketing campaign was ineffective and did not increase sales This medicine is ineffective against the virus
wasteful	When actions or behaviors lead to unnecessary loss or use of resources, often seen as careless or extravagant. Leaving the lights on all night is very wasteful The company's expenditure on luxury offices was wasteful considering their financial troubles
inept	When someone is clumsy or lacks skill in a particular area, often leading to poor performance. This has a negative connotation. His performance in the play was so inept that the audience laughed at the wrong moments She is inept at managing finances, causing her to run into debt often

Examples of usage

The air conditioning system is inefficient and needs to be replaced.
LED lights are more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin roots, where 'in-' means 'not' and 'efficiens' means 'doing' or 'performing.'
It has been used in English since the early 19th century, evolving in its application in various fields.

Science

In thermodynamics, inefficiency is a measure of how much energy is wasted rather than converted into useful work.
Modern energy systems strive to reduce inefficiencies to save resources and lower costs, such as in electricity generation.

Economics

Economic inefficiency occurs when resources are not used in the most productive way, leading to waste.
In markets, inefficiency can lead to mispricing, where the actual value of resources isn't reflected accurately.

Technology

In computing, inefficiency can relate to algorithms that take too long to execute or require too much memory.
Companies often analyze workflow inefficiencies to improve productivity and speed up processes in the workplace.

Environmental Impact

Inefficient practices in agriculture can lead to excessive water usage and soil degradation.
Reducing inefficiency in industrial processes can help decrease carbon emissions and promote sustainability.

Translations

Translations of the word "inefficient" in other languages:

🇵🇹 ineficiente

🇮🇳 अप्रभावी

🇩🇪 ineffizient

🇮🇩 tidak efisien

🇺🇦 неефективний

🇵🇱 nieefektywny

🇯🇵 非効率的 (ひこうりつてき)

🇫🇷 inefficace

🇪🇸 ineficiente

🇹🇷 verimsiz

🇰🇷 비효율적인

🇸🇦 غير فعال

🇨🇿 neefektivní

🇸🇰 neefektívny

🇨🇳 低效的 (dīxiào de)

🇸🇮 neu?inkovit

🇮🇸 óskilvirk

🇰🇿 тиімсіз

🇬🇪 არაეფექტური

🇦🇿 səmərəsiz

🇲🇽 ineficiente

Word Frequency Rank

Position #9,261 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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9258 irradiated
9259 bracket
9260 complication
9261 inefficient
9262 sheltered
9263 scream
9264 salad
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