Join free

efficiency

English · 中文 · Thesaurus

AI In plain words

Writing a short explanation…

Written by a house AI from the entry below, in your language. The entry itself is the source.

efficiency

  • /ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/
  • [ɪˈfɪʃn̩si]
  • /ɪˈfɪʃ.ɪn.si/

Where it comes from

From Latin efficientia, equivalent to efficient + -cy.

noun efficiencies

  1. countable, uncountable The extent to which a resource is used for the intended purpose. In a letter DeJoy sent to Congress on Thursday, he said DOGE teams will “assist us in identifying and achieving further efficiencies,” saying the Elon Musk-led agency will focus on improving the management of USPS retirement assets and the Workers’ Compensation Program, as well as addressing the age

    Opposite: inefficiency, wastefulness

  2. countable, uncountable The ratio of useful work to energy expended. Often given the symbol η. The efficiency of this loudspeaker is 40%.

    Opposite: inefficiency, wastefulness

  3. countable, uncountable The extent to which time is well used for the intended task. The efficiency of the planning department is deplorable.

    Opposite: inefficiency, wastefulness

  4. countable, dated, uncountable The quality of producing an effect or effects. The manner of this divine efficiency being far above us.
  5. US, countable, uncountable A one-room apartment. I have an efficiency available June through July.

    Similar: efficiency apartment, studio apartment, bedsit

Thesaurus

Closest in meaning: efficient, functioning, productivity, effectiveness, use, utility, usefulness, effective, efficacy, efficacious, effectively, expediency, effect, competence, efficiently, capacity

Translations

Every language

noun extent to which a resource is used for the intended purpose

日本語効率性, 効率
中文效率 xiàolǜ, 效能 xiàonéng
Portuguêseficiência
Françaisrendement
DeutschEffizienz, Leistungsfähigkeit, Wirksamkeit
Italianoefficienza
Русскийэффекти́вность effektívnostʹ

noun extent to which time is well used

Españoleficiencia
日本語効率性, 効率, 時間効率
中文效率 xiàolǜ, 效能 xiàonéng
Portuguêseficiência
Françaisefficacité
DeutschEffizienz, Wirkungsgrad
Italianoefficienza, rendimento
Românăeficiență
Русскийэффекти́вность effektívnostʹ

noun one-room apartment

DeutschEinzimmerwohnung, Einraumwohnung
Ελληνικάγκαρσονιέρα gkarsoniéra, στούντιο stoúntio
Русскийстудия stúdija

Talk about this word

Cite this
MLA

"efficiency." Wiktionary, via Micwyn, micwyn.com/word/efficiency. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

APA

efficiency. (n.d.). In Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://micwyn.com/word/efficiency

Chicago

"efficiency." Wiktionary, via Micwyn. Accessed November 6, 2026. https://micwyn.com/word/efficiency.

BibTeX
@misc{efficiency_2026,
  title = {efficiency},
  howpublished = {Wiktionary, via Micwyn},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://micwyn.com/word/efficiency},
  urldate = {2026-11-06}
}