← GlossaryWas this page helpful?
What does "inefficient" mean in programming?
inefficient is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
Describes code that uses more time, memory, or other resources than necessary. Commonly used to flag O(n²) algorithms, N+1 database query patterns, or unnecessary re-renders. Opposite of efficient.
Example
"This loop is inefficient — you're making one database query per item. Batch them into a single query."
Can you put this sentence in the right order?
Tap the words to place them here
Keep building your technical English
You just looked up what this word means. Lingua-e turns vocabulary like this into full practice: fill-in-the-blanks, listening, and real developer conversations.
Practice this for free