'Efficient' definitions:
Definition of 'efficient'
From: WordNet
adjective
Being effective without wasting time or effort or expense; "an efficient production manager"; "efficient engines save gas" [ant: inefficient]
adjective
Able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively; "people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons..."-G.B.Shaw; "effective personnel"; "an efficient secretary"; "the efficient cause of the revolution" [syn: effective, efficient]
Definition of 'Efficient'
From: GCIDE
- Efficient \Ef*fi"cient\, n. An efficient cause; a prime mover. [1913 Webster]
- God . . . moveth mere natural agents as an efficient only. --Hooker. [1913 Webster]
Definition of 'efficient'
From: GCIDE
- efficient \ef*fi"cient\ ([e^]f*f[i^]sh"ent), a. [L. efficiens, -entis, p. pr. of efficere to effect: cf. F. efficient. See Effect, n.] Causing effects; producing results; that makes the effect to be what it is; actively operative; not inactive, slack, or incapable; characterized by energetic and useful activity; as, an efficient officer, power. [1913 Webster]
- The efficient cause is the working cause. --Wilson.
- Syn: Effective; effectual; competent; able; capable; material; potent. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'efficient'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- able,
- active,
- adequate,
- au fait,
- banausic,
- capable,
- competent,
- economic,
- effective,
- effectual,
- efficacious,
- equal to,
- feasible,
- fit,
- fitted,
- fitted for,
- functional,
- go,
- journeyman,
- operable,
- operational,
- operative,
- practicable,
- practical,
- pragmatic,
- productive,
- proficient,
- qualified,
- realizable,
- suited,
- thrifty,
- unwasteful,
- up to,
- up to snuff,
- well-fitted,
- well-qualified,
- well-suited,
- workable,
- worthy