INEFFICIENT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does inefficient mean? 

• INEFFICIENT (adjective)
  The adjective INEFFICIENT has 2 senses:

1. not producing desired results; wasteful

2. lacking the ability or skill to perform effectively; inadequate

  Familiarity information: INEFFICIENT used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• INEFFICIENT (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not producing desired results; wasteful

Context example:

outdated and inefficient design and methods

Similar:

uneconomical; wasteful (inefficient in use of time and effort and materials)

Also:

incompetent (not qualified or suited for a purpose)

ineffective; ineffectual; uneffective (not producing an intended effect)

Antonym:

efficient (being effective without wasting time or effort or expense)

Derivation:

inefficiency (unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Lacking the ability or skill to perform effectively; inadequate

Synonyms:

ineffective; inefficient

Context example:

inefficient workers

Similar:

incompetent (not qualified or suited for a purpose)

Derivation:

inefficiency (unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency)

 Context examples 

It will be a comfort to me to know that I have one ally in the hall, however inefficient and ignorant of the subject he may be.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Anemia caused by low iron intake, inefficient iron absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, or chronic blood loss.

(Iron-Deficiency Anemia, NCI Thesaurus)

The inefficient use of ATP suggests that an inability to maintain normal ATP levels could be the central abnormality.

(Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/KEGG)

It is caused by decreased or inefficient production of immunoglobulins from B cells or by a decrease in the numbers of B cells themselves.

(Hypogammaglobulinemia, NCI Thesaurus)

Vascular remodeling is an important component to tumorigenesis; without proper blood supply, delivery of oxygen may occur by diffusion, but becomes inefficient in tumors greater than 1 mm in diameter.

(Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

There I was stretched, when you, my dear Watson, and all your following were investigating in the most sympathetic and inefficient manner the circumstances of my death.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Refrigerators and air conditioners based on HFCs and HCs are also relatively inefficient.

(Green material for refrigeration identified, University of Cambridge)

This is a feasible alternative for systemic delivery of orally inefficient drugs, such as peptide and protein drug molecules.

(Buccal Route of Administration, NCI Thesaurus)

And it's inefficient.

(Bacteria Used to Create Fertilizer Out of Thin Air, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

In type II diabetes—the most common form of the disease—the cells of the body become inefficient at responding to insulin and as a consequence, glucose in circulation can become dangerously high (hyperglycemia) while the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to compensate.

(Researchers Develop Insulin-Producing Cells Activated by Light for Diabetes, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)