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Where does the word "efficient" come from? It comes from Latin efficere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
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Where does the word "efficient" come from? It comes from Latin efficere, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).
Efficient’s story begins in Latin: efficere meant “to accomplish thoroughly.” To make thoroughly, to accomplish, from ex- (out, thoroughly) and facere (to make). It reached English by 1400s as efficient. Settled as the English word for achieving results with minimal waste. Today, efficient means achieving maximum productivity with minimal wasted effort or resources.
- Stage 1 · Latin · ancient efficere "to accomplish thoroughly", to make thoroughly, to accomplish, from ex- (out, thoroughly) and facere (to make).
- Stage 2 · English · 1400s efficient "achieving results with minimal wasted effort or resources", settled as the English word for achieving results with minimal waste.