Etymograph

English

efficiency

Efficiency probably comes from Latin efficientia; it is equivalent to efficient + -cy.

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEefficientia1uncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1951efficiency1

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed deepest recorded ancestor

  1. 1 Wiktionary, English efficiency
  2. Earliest quotation in Wiktionary’s entry: 1951, H. A. Vallance, Across Denmark by Lyntog: “Even at the busiest periods, an air of quiet…”.

Lineage

  1. Latinc. 75 BCE–200 CEefficientiaWiktionary, English efficiencyuncertain
  2. Englishearliest quotation 1951efficiencyWiktionary, English efficiency. Earliest quotation in Wiktionary’s entry: 1951, H. A. Vallance, Across Denmark by Lyntog: “Even at the busiest periods, an air of quiet…”

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Today it means

noun The extent to which a resource is used for the intended purpose.

Sources

Sources: Wiktionary, “efficiency”. By Wiktionary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0, via kaikki.org (dump of Oct 3 2026); text adapted and restructured. Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word. License.

Etymograph / Latin efficientia / efficiency