/ ɪˈfɪʃnt; NAmE / adjective
doing sth well and thoroughly with no waste of time, money, or energy :
an efficient secretary
efficient heating equipment
the efficient use of energy
As we get older, our bodies become less efficient at burning up calories.
fuel-efficient cars (= that do not use much fuel)
OPP inefficient
► ef·fi·cient·ly adverb :
a very efficiently organized event
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (in the sense making, causing ): from Latin efficient- accomplishing, from the verb efficere accomplish, from ex- out, thoroughly + facere do, make. The current sense dates from the late 18th cent.