efficient

noun

(obsolete) A cause; something that causes an effect.

adjective

Making good, thorough, or careful use of resources; not consuming extra. Especially, making good use of time or energy.

Expressing the proportion of consumed energy that was successfully used in a process; the ratio of useful output to total input.

Causing effects, producing results; bringing into being; initiating change (rare except in philosophical and legal expression efficient cause = causative factor or agent).

(proscribed, old use) effective, efficacious

Roots

faciofic- · Latin · make, do

Synonyms for efficient

effectiveadj efficaciousadj effectualadj competentadj productiveadj practicableadj capableadj proficientadj feasibleadj practicaladj

Synonyms & related words for efficient

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Words related to efficient

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Synonyms for efficient

Common synonyms for efficient include effective, efficacious, effectual, competent, productive, practicable, capable, proficient — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does efficient come from?

The word efficient breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root fic-, from Latin facio (“make, do”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.