Efficient vs. Thorough — What's the Difference?

(of a system or machine) achieving maximum productivity with minimum wasted effort or expense

In 17th century England, Thorough was a name given by Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of Strafford to a scheme of his to establish absolute monarchy in England. Although "Thorough" is largely attributed to Strafford, its implementation can also be accredited to the Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud.

(of a person) working in a well-organized and competent way

Complete with regard to every detail; not superficial or partial

Acting or producing effectively with a minimum of waste, expense, or unnecessary effort

Exhaustively complete

Acting directly to produce an effect

Painstakingly accurate or careful

Causing less waste or requiring less effort than comparable devices or methods. Used in combination

Absolute; utter

Making good, thorough, or careful use of resources; not consuming extra. Especially, making good use of time or energy

Variant of through.

Expressing the proportion of consumed energy that was successfully used in a process; the ratio of useful output to total input

Painstaking and careful not to miss or omit any detail.

Causing effects, producing results; bringing into being; initiating change (rare except in philosophical and legal expression efficient cause = causative factor or agent)

Utter; complete; absolute.

Effective, efficacious

(obsolete) Through.

(obsolete) a cause; something that causes an effect

A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water.

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.

Through.

An efficient cause; a prime mover.

Passing through; as, thorough lights in a house.

Being effective without wasting time or effort or expense;

Passing through or to the end; hence, complete; perfect; as, a thorough reformation; thorough work; a thorough translator; a thorough poet.

Able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively;

Thoroughly.

Through.

A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water.

Painstakingly careful and accurate;

Very thorough; exhaustively complete;