Can you guess which cooler is the most efficient?
Source: tatoeba (37634)
Efficient
/ɪˈfɪʃənt/
Synonyms for "efficient" (316 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (10)
Strong matches (15)
Related words (25)
Adjective(8 words)
Noun(15 words)
computer systemcomputer system performancecomputing processcomputing systemconcise phrasingconservation ideaconservation projectconvenience mealscost benefit analysiscost effectivecruisingdata networkdeliveringdp optimizationdrip irrigation system
Verb(1 words)
convert electrical energy
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: effective, able, active, adequate, amortized logarithmic complexity.
- Sentence evidence is available for efficient, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "efficient".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "efficient"
Keep "efficient" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "efficient" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "efficient", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "efficient" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
4 entriescost efficientenergy efficientfuel efficienttime efficient
Collocations
6 entriesefficient processefficient study habitsefficient systemenergy efficientfuel efficienttime efficient
Inflections
2 entriesmore efficientmost efficient
Derivations
3 entriesAntonyms
1 entriessimilar
12 entriesTranslations
15 translations across 14 languages.
Bulgarian
1 entries- ефикасен adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Catalan
1 entries- eficient adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Czech
1 entries- účinný adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Dutch
1 entries- efficiënt adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Finnish
1 entries- hyötysuhde adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
French
1 entries- efficace adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Hungarian
2 entries- gazdaságos adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
- hatékony adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Irish
1 entries- éifeachtúil adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Italian
1 entries- efficiente adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Polish
1 entries- sprawny adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Portuguese
1 entries- eficaz adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Romanian
1 entries- but see randament adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Scottish Gaelic
1 entries- èifeachdach adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Tagalog
1 entries- episyente adj (using a particular proportion of available energy)
Sample sentences
20 total sentences available.
This computer is powerful, efficient, and easy to use.
Source: tatoeba (61064)
Efficient machinery replaced manual labor.
Source: tatoeba (240509)
The new secretary doesn't strike me as efficient.
Source: tatoeba (242353)
Showing 4 of 20 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "efficient"?
Closest matches include effective, able, active, adequate, amortized logarithmic complexity.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "efficient"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.