Sufficient vs. Efficient — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Sufficient and Efficient
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Definitions
Sufficient
Being as much as is needed; adequate; enough.
Efficient
(of a person) working in a well-organized and competent way
An efficient administrator
Sufficient
(Archaic) Competent; qualified.
Efficient
(of a system or machine) achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense
More efficient processing of information
Sufficient
An adequate quantity of; enough.
We have sufficient supplies to last the winter.
There is not sufficient access to the Internet in many small rural villages.
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Efficient
Acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort
An efficient builder.
An efficient factory.
Sufficient
(as pronoun) A quantity (of something) that is as large as is needed.
We don't need any more; we already have sufficient.
Sufficient of us are against this idea that we should stop now.
Efficient
Acting directly to produce an effect
The efficient cause of the revolution.
Sufficient
Of a type or kind that suffices, that satisfies requirements or needs.
This is a necessary condition but not a sufficient one.
Efficient
Causing less waste or requiring less effort than comparable devices or methods. Used in combination
Energy-efficient wind turbines.
Cost-efficient health care.
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Sufficient
Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit.
Efficient
Making good, thorough, or careful use of resources; not consuming extra. Especially, making good use of time or energy
An efficient process would automate all the routine work.
Our cleaners are almost too efficient: they throw away anything left out on a desk.
Sufficient
(archaic) Capable of meeting obligations; responsible.
Efficient
Expressing the proportion of consumed energy that was successfully used in a process; the ratio of useful output to total input
The motor is only 20% efficient at that temperature.
Sufficient
(obsolete) Having enough money to meet obligations and live comfortably.
Efficient
Causing effects, producing results; bringing into being; initiating change (rare except in philosophical and legal expression efficient cause = causative factor or agent)
Ownership, maintenance, or use of the automobile need not be the direct and efficient cause of the injury sustained
Sufficient
Equal to the end proposed; adequate to wants; enough; ample; competent; as, provision sufficient for the family; an army sufficient to defend the country.
My grace is sufficient for thee.
Efficient
Effective, efficacious
Sufficient
Possessing adequate talents or accomplishments; of competent power or ability; qualified; fit.
Who is sufficient for these things?
Efficient
(obsolete) a cause; something that causes an effect
Sufficient
Capable of meeting obligations; responsible.
The man is, notwithstanding, sufficient . . . I think I may take his bond.
Efficient
Causing effects; producing results; that makes the effect to be what it is; actively operative; not inactive, slack, or incapable; characterized by energetic and useful activity; as, an efficient officer, power.
The efficient cause is the working cause.
Sufficient
Self-sufficient; self-satisfied; content.
Thou art the most sufficient (I'll say for thee),Not to believe a thing.
Efficient
An efficient cause; a prime mover.
God . . . moveth mere natural agents as an efficient only.
Sufficient
Of a quantity that can fulfill a need or requirement but without being abundant;
Sufficient food
Efficient
Being effective without wasting time or effort or expense;
An efficient production manager
Efficient engines save gas
Efficient
Able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively;
People who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons...
Effective personnel
An efficient secretary
The efficient cause of the revolution
