Efficiency — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /i-ˈfi-shən-sē/ ef·fi·cien·cy

Meaning & Definition of Efficiency

Efficiency (noun)

  1. the quality or degree of being efficient
  2. efficient operation
  3. effective operation as measured by a comparison of production with cost (as in energy, time, and money)

Efficiency (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the power to produce a desired result

    "the proven efficiency of meditation in reducing stress within the company's workforce"

    similar: edge, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficacity, efficacy, productiveness
    related: ability, capability, capacity, potency, puissance, strength
    opposite: ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficiency
    near: inability, inadequacy, inadequateness, incompetence, incompetency

Related Entry: Efficiency apartment (noun)

Efficiency apartment is a different word from Efficiency. The synonyms below are for efficiency apartment, not for efficiency.

  1. as in duplex apartment, garden apartment

    similar: bed-sitter (British), cohousing, condo, condominium, duplex, duplex apartment, efficiency, flatlet (British), floor-through, garden apartment, granny flat (chiefly British), maisonette, penthouse, railroad flat, salon, saloon (chiefly British), studio, studio apartment, triplex, walk-up, apartment, diggings (chiefly British), digs, flat (chiefly British), lodgings, suite, tenement, gallery, wing, apartment building, apartment house, tenement house

Related Entry: Efficiency apartments (noun)

Efficiency apartments is a different word from Efficiency. The synonyms below are for efficiency apartments, not for efficiency.

  1. as in duplex apartments, garden apartments

    similar: bed-sitters (British), cohousings, condominiums, condos, duplex apartments, duplexes, efficiencies, flatlets (British), floor-throughs, garden apartments, granny flats (chiefly British), maisonettes, penthouses, railroad flats, salons, saloons (chiefly British), studio apartments, studios, triplexes, walk-ups, apartments, diggings (chiefly British), digs, flats (chiefly British), lodgings, suites, tenements, galleries, wings, apartment buildings, apartment houses, tenement houses

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Efficiency

The most common words with a similar meaning to Efficiency:

edge, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficacity, efficacy, productiveness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Efficiency

Words with the opposite meaning of Efficiency:

ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness, inefficiency

Related Words for Efficiency

ability, capability, capacity, potency, puissance, strength

Near Antonyms of Efficiency

inability, inadequacy, inadequateness, incompetence, incompetency

Word Forms of Efficiency

Inflections: efficiencies

Origin & Etymology of Efficiency

borrowed from Latin efficientia, from efficient-, efficiens "producing or giving rise to something, immediate (of a cause), efficient" + -ia -y:2

First known use: 1633

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Efficiency

Words & Phrases Containing Efficiency

efficiency apartment, efficiency expert

Frequently Asked Questions about Efficiency

What does "Efficiency" mean?

"Efficiency" means the quality or degree of being efficient. As a noun, it is defined as: the quality or degree of being efficient.

What is another word for "Efficiency"?

Other words for "Efficiency" include edge, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficacity, efficacy and productiveness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Efficiency" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Efficiency"?

There are 13 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Efficiency". Common alternatives include edge, effectiveness, effectualness, efficaciousness, efficacity, efficacy and productiveness.

What is the opposite of "Efficiency"?

Antonyms of "Efficiency" include ineffectiveness, ineffectuality, ineffectualness and inefficiency. Near antonyms include inability, inadequacy, inadequateness and incompetence.

How do you use "Efficiency" in a sentence?

Examples of "Efficiency" in a sentence: "the proven efficiency of meditation in reducing stress within the company's workforce".

Is "Efficiency" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Efficiency" is a noun.

Is "Efficiency" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Efficiency" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Efficiency"?

"Efficiency" is pronounced /i-ˈfi-shən-sē/ and divided into syllables as ef·fi·cien·cy.