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Inefficient Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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inefficient

[หŒษชnษชหˆfษชสƒษ™nt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

use of resources

Not achieving maximum productivity; wasteful or ineffective.

Synonyms

ineffective, unproductive, wasteful.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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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?

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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.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

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.

Origin of 'inefficient'

Main points about word origin

  • 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.

The word 'inefficient' originated from the Latin word 'inefficiens', which is a combination of 'in-' (not) and 'efficiens' (effective). It has been used in the English language since the mid-18th century to describe something that does not achieve maximum productivity or uses resources in a wasteful manner.

See also: efficiency, efficient, efficiently, inefficiently.

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.