WordGarden.ioefficiency
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ɪfˈɪʃənsi/
US
- /ɪˈfɪʃənsi/
Meanings
Noun
the ability to work well with little wasted time, effort, money, or material
the measured ratio of useful output to energy or other input
a small apartment with one main room
Beyond the definition
Imagine a hummingbird—tiny wings beating incredibly fast, sipping nectar from flower to flower. That's efficiency in action! It means achieving maximum results with minimal wasted effort, time, or resources. A truly efficient system gets the job done well and quickly.
You might talk about an efficient engine that uses less gas, or an efficient worker who completes tasks quickly and accurately. Efficiency isn't just about speed, though; it's also about avoiding unnecessary steps. Think of a well-organized kitchen—everything is within reach, making cooking more efficient. Sometimes efficiency comes at the cost of other qualities, like creativity. A factory focused solely on efficiency might produce high volumes of very boring products.
Efficiency refers to the ability to accomplish something successfully while minimizing wasted effort or resources. It's about maximizing output while minimizing input—whether that input is time, energy, money, materials, or labor.
You will often hear "efficiency" discussed in contexts like business, technology, and engineering. An efficient factory might produce more goods using the same amount of raw materials as a less efficient one. Similarly, a computer program can be designed for efficiency, meaning it runs quickly and does not consume excessive processing power.
However, efficiency isn't limited to industrial areas. You can talk about an efficient route to work (the fastest way with the least traffic), an efficient study method (getting the most learning done in a short amount of time), or even an efficient conversation (getting your point across clearly and concisely).
Sometimes, striving for maximum efficiency can have drawbacks. Focusing solely on speed and cost-cutting might lead to lower quality or the neglect of important considerations like employee well-being. Ultimately, it is about finding the right balance between getting things done quickly and doing them well.
So, whether you're streamlining a process, optimizing a system, or simply trying to get more done in less time, efficiency is all about making the most of what you have—and avoiding unnecessary waste along the way.
Examples
- 1
Warehouse operations
We changed the schedule to improve efficiency in the warehouse.
- 2
Software tools
The new software increased efficiency and cut down on errors.
- 3
Energy performance
Better insulation can make a big difference to a building's energy efficiency.
- 4
Service tradeoff
Managers have to balance efficiency with good customer service.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Hiring process
The report questions the efficiency of the current hiring process.
- Patternefficiency of + process/system
how well it works
- 6
Process streamlining
For efficiency, we now handle all returns through one online form.
- Phrasefor efficiency
to save time and effort
- 7
Production gains
The upgrade led to noticeable efficiency gains in production.
- 8
Company merger
The merger was presented as a way to create efficiencies across the company.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
- inefficiency
- wastefulness
Do not confuse
Used with (collocations)
- improve efficiency
- energy efficiency
- operational efficiency
- efficiency gains
Word family
Explore
- resource management
- throughput
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- efficiencynoun
Forms
- efficienciespluralnoun