Definitions for efficientɪˈfɪʃ ənt

This page provides all possible meanings and translations of the word efficient

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ef•fi•cient*ɪˈfɪʃ ənt(adj.)

  1. performing or functioning effectively with the least waste of time and effort; competent; capable:

    an efficient secretary.

  2. satisfactory and economical to use:

    a more efficient air conditioner.

  3. producing an effect, as a cause; causative.

  4. using a given product or resource with maximum efficiency (used in combination):

    a fuel-efficient engine.

    Category: Common Vocabulary, Business

* Syn: See effective.

Origin of efficient:

1350–1400; ME (< MF) < L efficient-, s. of efficiēns


Princeton's WordNet

  1. efficient(adj)

    being effective without wasting time or effort or expense


  2. effective, efficient(adj)

    able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively


Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

  1. efficient(adjective)ɪˈfɪʃ ənt

    well-organized and effective

    a job which requires you to be efficient and reliable

  2. efficientɪˈfɪʃ ənt

    using resources economically

    an efficient electrical system; energy-efficient lighting


  1. efficient(Adjective)


  2. efficient(Adjective)

    Using a particular proportion of available energy.

    The motor is only 20% efficient at that temperature.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Efficient(noun)


  2. Efficient(noun)

    an efficient cause; a prime mover


  1. Efficient

    Efficient is a grey Thoroughbred racehorse gelding, bred in New Zealand, who won the 2007 Melbourne Cup, ridden by Michael Rodd, and the 2006 Victoria Derby. Efficient was by the outstanding sire Zabeel from the mare Refused The Dance by Defensive Play. He is a half brother to Guillotine, winner of the 2008 MVRC Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes. In his first campaign in the spring of 2006 he put together five consecutive wins including the Group 2 Aami Vase at Moonee Valley and ending with a win in the VRC Derby by 2½ lengths. Following his Derby win Efficient was entered into the Melbourne Cup field, run three days later. However, he did not pull up well enough and so was scratched from the race and spelled instead. Returning in the autumn Efficient had a very light campaign of just two starts. In the 1,400 metre Group 3 Schweppervescence Cup he finished fourth behind Haradasun and fifth behind Miss Finland in the Group One Australian Guineas over 1,600 metres. As a four year old in the Spring of 2007 Efficient resumed in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield and ran 10th beaten 7 lengths. At his next start he ran fourth in the Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes behind El Segundo and Haradasun. He then ran unplaced in the 2,000 metre Group 1 Turnbull Stakes. Three weeks later Efficient lined up in the Weight for Age Group 1 Cox Plate over 2,040 metres at Moonee Valley where he finished 9th beaten 6½ lengths by the winner El Segundo. Efficient's next start was the Melbourne Cup, his first start in a handicap race since his first campaign. He dropped 3 kg from the Cox Plate run to carry 54.5 kg. Due to his poor recent form he was sent out a 16-1 chance. Reunited with jockey Michael Rodd for the first time since their 2006 Victoria Derby win, Efficient settled back in the field and travelled well. He was pulled to the outside to make a run and in the closing stages Efficient went on to defeat Purple Moon by half a length.

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'efficient' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #2581

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'efficient' in Written Corpus Frequency: #2959

  3. Adjectives Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'efficient' in Adjectives Frequency: #339

Translations for efficient

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary


(of a person) capable; skilful

a very efficient secretary.

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