How to Pronounce Inefficient

To pronounce "inefficient", say IN-eff-ic-ient — 4 syllables, IPA /ɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

inefficient

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Accent

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4

Syllables

11

Letters

/ɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “inefficient”

"inefficient" has 4 syllables: in-eff-ic-ient. It rhymes with proficient and deficient, if that helps it stick.

What does inefficient mean?

noun

  1. A person who cannot or does not work efficiently.

adjective

  1. Not efficient; not producing the effect intended or desired; inefficacious

    “Celery is an inefficient food.”

  2. Incapable of, or indisposed to, effective action; habitually slack or unproductive; effecting little or nothing

    “Jessica was terribly inefficient at cleaning, so her brother usually had to clean the whole room.”

Antonyms

efficient

Words that rhyme with inefficient

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

proficientdeficientsufficientefficientinsufficientbeneficentcoefficientself-sufficient

Related words

ineffectiveincompetentuneconomicalwastefulineffectivenessinadequateineffectualinsufficient

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "inefficient"?▾

"Inefficient" has 4 syllables: in · eff · ic · ient.

What is the IPA transcription of "inefficient"?▾

The IPA transcription of "inefficient" is /ɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/.

What does "inefficient" mean?▾

Inefficient: A person who cannot or does not work efficiently.

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