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YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

Inefficiency

Noun

IPA /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənsi/

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Meaning in plain English

A failure to use time, effort or resources effectively, so that work takes longer or costs more than it should.

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Pronunciation

Inefficiency/ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənsi/

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  1. The same work is done twice

  2. Time and effort are wasted

Inefficiency means resources are used poorly.

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  1. The report highlighted serious inefficiency in the company’s supply chain.
  2. Government inefficiency often leads to delays in public services.

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The report highlighted serious ________ in the company’s supply chain.
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Inefficiency — A failure to use time, effort or resources effectively, so that work takes longer or costs more than it should.

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A failure to use time, effort or resources effectively, so that work takes longer or costs more than it should.

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Word origin

Formed from inefficient, with the adjective ending -ent changing to the noun ending -ency.

Did you know?

Inefficiency can be uncountable or countable. The plural inefficiencies refers to particular wasteful features or practices.

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Inefficiency

/ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənsi/ (Noun)

“Use inefficiency for poor use of time, effort or resources. Work may still produce results, but with avoidable waste.”

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