in efficient

adjective

not efficient; unable to effect or achieve the desired result with reasonable economy of means.

lacking in ability, incompetent.

Origin:
1740–50; in-³ + efficient

Related forms

in·ef·fi·cient·ly, adverb

Synonyms
2. See incapable.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary

inefficient (ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt)

—*adj*
1.	unable to perform a task or function to the best advantage; wasteful or incompetent
2.	unable to produce the desired result

inef'ficiency

—n

inef'ficiently

—*adv*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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00:10

In efficient is always a great word to know.

So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:

an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.

a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.

LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...

Etymonline

Word Origin & History

inefficient

1750, "not producing the desired effect," from in- "not" + efficient (q.v.).

Matching Quote

"The women of this century are neither idle nor indifferent. They are working with might and main to mitigate the evils which stare them in the face on every side, but much of their work is without knowledge. It is aimed at the effects, not the cause; it is plucking the spoiled fruit; it is lopping off the poisonous branches of the deadly upas tree, which but makes the root more vigorous in sending out new shoots in every direction. A right understanding of physiological law teaches us that the cause must be removed; the tree must be girdled; the tap-root must be severed. The tap-root of our social upas lies deep down at the very foundations of society. It is woman's dependence. It is woman's subjection. Hence, the first and only efficient work must be to emancipate woman from her enslavement."

-Susan B. Anthony

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