inefficiency
/,ini'fiʃənsi/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The state or quality of being inefficient; lack of efficiency: The condition of not achieving maximum productivity or effectiveness, often with a waste of time, energy, or resources.
- An instance or example of inefficient operation: A specific action, process, or system that demonstrates a failure to function effectively.
Usage
- General Concept: Used to describe a general lack of effectiveness in a system, organization, or process.
- The report highlighted the inefficiency of the current filing system.
- Specific Instance: Used to refer to a particular wasteful practice or flaw.
- Delays in approval are a major inefficiency in our workflow.
Examples
- Noun:
- The project's high cost was due to bureaucratic inefficiency.
- Energy inefficiency in older buildings leads to higher utility bills.
- We must address the inefficiency of having two separate teams do the same task.
Advanced Usage
- "to be plagued by inefficiency": To be severely affected or hindered by a lack of efficiency.
- The department is plagued by inefficiency, causing constant delays.
- "a study in inefficiency": An exemplary case of how not to do something efficiently.
- The old manual process was a study in inefficiency.
Variants and Related Words
- Inefficient (adj): Not achieving maximum productivity; wasteful.
- The inefficient engine consumed too much fuel.
- Inefficiently (adv): In a wasteful or ineffective manner.
- The resources were allocated inefficiently.
Synonyms
- Ineffectiveness: The quality of not producing the intended or desired result.
- Wastefulness: The trait of using more of something than is necessary.
- Unproductiveness: The state of failing to produce useful results.
Antonyms
- Efficiency: The state of achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense.
- Effectiveness: The degree to which something is successful in producing a desired result.
Related Phrases
- Cost of inefficiency: The financial or resource losses resulting from inefficient practices.
- The cost of inefficiency was evident in the company's shrinking profits.
- Inefficiency gap: The measurable difference between current performance and optimal, efficient performance.
- The audit revealed a significant inefficiency gap in the supply chain.
Noun
- unskillfulness resulting from a lack of efficiency