Words / B2

i-FISHUNS-ee/ɪˈfɪʃnsi/

Efficiency is working well with little waste: energy efficiency; efficiency savings. Efficient is already in the dictionary. Effectiveness is about achieving the goal; you can be efficient at the wrong task. Uncountable. Do not write “an efficiency” for one gadget — that is an efficient device. UK government: efficiency reviews.

Meaning

The quality of working well without wasting time, energy, or money.

Examples

• “New boilers improved the energy efficiency of the block.”
• “Efficiency savings closed the Saturday counter, which is why queues moved online.”

Good to know

Uncountable: efficiency; energy / fuel efficiency. Adjective: efficient. Goal achievement: effectiveness. You can be efficiently wrong.

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