INEFFICIENCY

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does inefficiency mean? 

• INEFFICIENCY (noun)
  The noun INEFFICIENCY has 1 sense:

1. unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency

  Familiarity information: INEFFICIENCY used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INEFFICIENCY (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("inefficiency" is a kind of...):

unskillfulness (a lack of cognitive skill)

Antonym:

efficiency (skillfulness in avoiding wasted time and effort)

Derivation:

inefficient (lacking the ability or skill to perform effectively; inadequate)

inefficient (not producing desired results; wasteful)

 Context examples 

Because of testing inefficiencies, maintenance inadequacies and other factors, cars, trucks and buses worldwide emit 4.6 million tons more harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) than standards allow.

(Diesel Pollutes More Than Lab Tests Detect, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

A personality disorder characterized by an indirect resistance to demands for adequate social and occupational performance; anger and opposition to authority and the expectations of others that is expressed covertly by obstructionism, procrastination, stubbornness, dawdling, forgetfulness, and intentional inefficiency.

(Passive-Aggressive Personality, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)