How to pronounce inefficient
Say it like in-ih-FISH-unt. Inefficient has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FISH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce inefficient. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- in
- ih
- FISH
- unt
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Inefficient pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- inGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FISHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- untKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of inefficient
American and British speakers say inefficient in essentially the same way: /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/ in the US and /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/ in the UK.
British respelling: in-ih-FISH-unt.
What does inefficient mean?
- Not efficient; not producing the effect intended or desired; inefficacious.“Celery is an inefficient food.”
- Incapable of, or indisposed to, effective action; habitually slack or unproductive; effecting little or nothing.“inefficient workers”
- A person who cannot or does not work efficiently.
Where does inefficient come from?
From in- + efficient.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with inefficient
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of inefficient.
Questions about saying inefficient
How do you pronounce inefficient?
Say in-ih-FISH-unt. The American pronunciation is /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/. In British English it is /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in inefficient?
Inefficient has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (FISH). Broken into parts: in · ih · FISH · unt.
Do Americans and Brits say inefficient the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/ and the British form is /ˌɪnɪˈfɪʃənt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.