inefficient

adjective
UK: /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/
US: /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/

  1. Not using resources (time, money, energy) in the best way possible; wasteful.

    1. The old heating system was very inefficient and cost too much.
    2. Trying to manage everything manually proved to be inefficient, so we automated the process.

  2. Not able to achieve a desired result or effect because of a failure to make best use of time or energy.

    1. The worker was inefficient and needed to improve his speed.
    2. An inefficient response to the crisis made the situation even more difficult to manage.

Synonyms

wasteful unproductive
inefficient adverb

  1. In a way that wastes resources such as time, money, or energy.

    1. He worked inefficiently and did not finish the task.
    2. The project was managed inefficiently, leading to significant cost overruns and delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "inefficient" in English means: Not using resources (time, money, energy) in the best way possible; wasteful., Not able to achieve a desired result or effect because of a failure to make best use of time or energy..

The phonetic transcription of "inefficient" is /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/ in British English and /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "inefficient": wasteful, unproductive.

Example usage of "inefficient": "The old heating system was very inefficient and cost too much.". More examples on the page.