Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Related Searches
on Ask.com
Synonyms
Nearby Entries
efficient - 5 dictionary results

ef⋅fi⋅cient

  [i-fish-uhnt]
Use efficient in a Sentence
–adjective
1. performing or functioning in the best possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable: a reliable, efficient secretary.
2. satisfactory and economical to use: Our new air conditioner is more efficient than our old one.
3. producing an effect, as a cause; causative.
4. utilizing a particular commodity or product with maximum efficiency (usually used in combination): a fuel-efficient engine.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME (< MF) < L efficient- (s. of efficiēns), equiv. to ef- ef- + fic-, comb. form of facere to make, do 1 + -ent- -ent

Related forms:
ef⋅fi⋅cient⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. effectual. See effective.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To efficient
ef·fi·cient   (ĭ-fĭsh'ənt)   
adj.  
  1. Acting directly to produce an effect: an efficient cause. See Synonyms at effective.
    1. Acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort.
    2. Exhibiting a high ratio of output to input.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin efficiēns, efficient-, present participle of efficere, to effect; see effect.]
ef·fi'cient·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source

Efficient

Ef*fi"cient\, a. [L. efficiens, -entis, p. pr. of efficere to effect: cf. F. efficient. See Effect, n.] Causing effects; producing results; that makes the effect to be what it is; actively operative; not inactive, slack, or incapable; characterized by energetic and useful activity; as, an efficient officer, power.

The efficient cause is the working cause. --Wilson.

Syn: Effective; effectual; competent; able; capable; material; potent.

Efficient

Ef*fi"cient\, n. An efficient cause; a prime mover.

God . . . moveth mere natural agents as an efficient only. --Hooker.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
Cite This Source
Language Translation for : efficient
Spanish: eficiente, competente,
German: tüchtig,
Japanese: 有能な
More Translations »

efficient 
1398, "making," from L. efficientem (nom. efficiens), prp. of efficere "work out, accomplish" (see effect). Meaning "productive, skilled" is from 1787. Efficiency apartment is first recorded 1930, Amer.Eng.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see efficient on Thesaurus | Reference