Dictionary

inefficiency en · NOUN

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Italic *n̥- Latin in-bor. Middle English in- English in- English efficiency English inefficiency From in- + efficiency.

Meanings

1. (countable, uncountable) Lack of efficiency or effectiveness.
   • Yet only 21 percent of adult TANF recipients are working today, largely because of these inefficiencies and loopholes. 2024 September 23, Sam Adolphsen, Paige Terryberry, “WITH REFORM, TANF CAN LIFT AMERICAN FAMILIES OUT OF DEPENDENCY”, in Foundation for Government Accountability, page 5:
   • “An organization’s reputational integrity is its greatest currency. When you compromise that, you have lost the loyalty and trust of your employees,” Wahler said. “His approach is going to increase inefficiency by creating an environment marked by instability, a lack of trust and divisiveness.” 2025 February 27, Jeanne Sahadi, “DOGE’s heavy-handed approach is not likely to make the government more efficient”, in CNN:

Forms

Translations (9)

nl inefficiëntie (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · bg безрезултатност (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · bg неспособност (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · nn ineffektivitet (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · fr inefficacité (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · gv neufondaght (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · de Ineffizienz (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · nb ineffektivitet (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness) · pt ineficiência (degree or measure of someone or something's lack of efficiency or effectiveness)