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Definition of "inefficient" []

  • Not efficient, as: (adjective)
  • Lacking the ability or skill to perform effectively; incompetent: an inefficient worker. (adjective)
  • Not producing the intended result; ineffective: an inefficient campaign against illegal drugs. (adjective)
  • Wasteful of time, energy, or materials: an inefficient design; outdated and inefficient methods. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "inefficient" in a sentence
  • "Amiridis and other school officials, wary of potential opposition from political leaders who have already criticized colleges and universities for what they describe as inefficient and duplicative growth, stress that the Greenville medical program will not be a "new" medical school."
  • "SHARIF ABDEL KOUDDOUS: Well, on Monday, former US president Bill Clinton fired back and railed against what he called inefficient spending of AIDS funds and said many countries are misspending foreign aid."
  • "Cameron attacked Labour's record, blaming Brown for what he described as inefficient and chaotic public services."