Added 9 October 2026
efficient
/ɪˈfɪʃənt/ adjective
In Latin: efficiens First recorded: 1930 Wiktionary
adjective Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about efficient at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Being effective without wasting time or effort or expense.
an efficient production manager
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Able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively.
people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons...
Origin
1398, “making,” from Old French, from Latin efficientem, nominative efficiēns, participle of efficere (“work out, accomplish”) (see effect). Meaning “productive, skilled” is from 1787. Efficiency apartment is first recorded 1930, American English.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)