effective
- efficient
‘effective’
If someone or something is effective, they do something well and produce the results that were intended.
We need effective street lighting.
Simple antibiotics are effective against this virus.
She was very effective in getting people to communicate.
‘efficient’
If someone or something is efficient, they do a job well and successfully, without wasting time or energy.
You need a highly efficient production manager if you want to reduce costs.
Engines and cars can be made more efficient.
Be careful
Effective and efficient are often confused, but they have slightly different meanings. If you are effective, you do a job properly; if you are efficient, you do it quickly and easily.
Effective and efficient are often confused, but they have slightly different meanings. If you are effective, you do a job properly; if you are efficient, you do it quickly and easily.
Doing research at the library can be effective, but using the internet is often more efficient.