performance vs efficiency

Question

Hi,In my dictionary, people say:performance: how well or badly you do sth, how well or badly sth works.efficiency: how well or badly you do sth, how well or badly sth works.So, how can I distinguis them? Are they interchangeable? If not, what is the difference in meaning between them?Quoc

Marius Hancu · Accepted Answer

Use:

My dictionary says that:

In my dictionary, it is mentioned/indicated/shown that:

Garnett · Answer

They are for the most part interchangeable.

The only difference I would identify is that "performance" tends to be a measure of results only, whereas "efficiency" tends to measure results against resources.

"The car had great performance. It could go very fast."

"The car's efficiency was notable. It went very far on one tank of petrol."

Goodman · Answer

Tung QuocHi,

In my dictionary, people say:

performance: how well or badly you do sth, how well or badly sth works.

efficiency: how well or badly you do sth, how well or badly sth works.

So, how can I distinguis them? Are they interchangeable? If not, what is the difference in meaning between them?

Quoc

Hi Quoc,

I tend to see it differently. The meaning of “performance” and “efficiency” seem to me are on the different part of the definition scale.

In general terms, a “good performance” is an act or work well done by a person or entity. It has little bearing with the word “efficiency”.

In business terms, if a company or investment portfolio yields better profit or a bigger bottom line than predicted, it’s said to have “excellent performance”. The company may or may not be “efficient”.

In terms of automobiles, they almost mean something entirely opposite.

We most likely won’t find the word “efficient” in the description of a high-performance car such as Porche. Performance – means cornering, speed and agility.

However, the word “performance” is unlikely to be found on the advertisement of a Prius. On the other hand, “fuel efficiency” is splattered everywhere.

Mind you, the meaning of these two words can be subject to interpretation and expectation.

If the mentioned performance is evaluated or judged by the efficiency of it’s components, then a relationship may be formed. But interchangeable? I tend to disagree.

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

The result of an efficient preparation could be a flawless performance at an exam.

Inchoateknowledge · Answer

GarnettThey are for the most part interchangeable.

"The car's efficiency was notable. It went very far on one tank of petrol."

I would say they are chalk and cheese.

(I wrote my thesis about the efficiency of heat engines at the univ.)

Maple · Answer

I had never taken them as a pair of synonyms until I saw the question.

Anonymous · Answer

Inchoateknowledge
GarnettThey are for the most part interchangeable.

"The car's efficiency was notable. It went very far on one tank of petrol."
I would say they are chalk and cheese.

(I wrote my thesis about the efficiency of heat engines at the univ.)

So you never interchanged "efficiency" and "performance"? I'd love to see a full copy of your report...

Goodman · Answer

Hi Anon,

From the tone of your post, I take it that you are on the "interchangeable" column. Is this a correct assumption? What kind of report would you like to see? Just curious....

Tung Quoc · Answer

Thanks,

1/ You wrote:

In general terms, a “good performance” is an act or work well done by a person or entity. It has little bearing with the word “efficiency”.

What is that little bearing ?

2/ You wrote:

In business terms, if a company or investment portfolio yields better profit or a bigger bottom line than predicted, it’s said to have “excellent performance”. The company may or may not be “efficient”.

What is the meaning of "efficient" in this case?

3/ You wrote:

In terms of automobiles, they almost mean something entirely opposite.

We most likely won’t find the word “efficient” in the description of a high-performance car such as Porche. Performance – means cornering, speed and agility.

However, the word “performance” is unlikely to be found on the advertisement of a Prius. On the other hand, “fuel efficiency” is splattered everywhere.

I know Porche and Prius are the names of cars. I still don't understand the difference in meaning between performance and efficiency in terms of automobiles. As you said, Performance – means cornering, speed and agility. So, what is the meaning of efficiency in terms of automobiles?

What are the meaning of cornering and splatter ?

4/ You wrote:

If the mentioned performance is evaluated or judged by the efficiency of it’s components, then a relationship may be formed.

In this case, what is the exact meaning of performance and efficiency?

Quoc

Goodman · Answer

In general terms, a “good performance” is an act or work well done by a person or entity. It has little bearing with the word “efficiency”.

It has little bearing with the word “efficiency”. - It means having little to do with ....

2/ You wrote:

In business terms, if a company or investment portfolio yields better profit or a bigger bottom line than predicted, it’s said to have “excellent performance”. The company may or may not be “efficient”.

What is the meaning of "efficient" in this case? - It means the company may or may not utilize the resources efficiently,

In terms of automobiles, they almost mean something entirely opposite.

We most likely won’t find the word “efficient” in the description of a high-performance car such as Porche. Performance – means cornering, speed and agility.

However, the word “performance” is unlikely to be found on the advertisement of a Prius. On the other hand, “fuel efficiency” is splattered everywhere.

Porche is known for it's ability to take curves and corners, and it's speed which in automobile terms are chararters of performance.

Prius is known for the fuel efficiency but not for the same chararters of the Porche.

I know Porche and Prius are the names of cars. I still don't understand the difference in meaning between performance and efficiency in terms of automobiles. As you said, Performance – means cornering, speed and agility. So, what is the meaning of efficiency in terms of automobiles?

What are the meaning of cornering and splatter ?- You need to do some work and look them up in dictionary. If you have more questions, we can discuss it.

4/ You wrote:

If the mentioned performance is evaluated or judged by the efficiency of it’s components, then a relationship may be formed.

In this case, what is the exact meaning of performance and efficiency? -What this meant was[efficiency] can be a component in the classification of [performance] when applied in the proper context.

Hope this helps!

performance vs efficiency

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