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By performant, I mean something that performs well. A piece of computer program code could be performant, meaning that enough thought went into it to make it perform well, making it an adjective; likewise, a merchant banker could be performant, meaning his performance record monetarily is in good stature.

A close cousin would be abundant (from abundance).

If you describe an athlete, you're allowed to say he's fast without having to compare to any competing athlete. In the same way, it should be possible to say a person is performant - whatever his field of endeavor.

Or, indeed, his or her works, without the person involved.

The works of an artist, writer, or musician might be pleasant, from pleasance. Isn't it a fact that some professions simply measure works by performance?

Twice removed from a person, a product could be performant in a market, meaning it performs well in sales, due to any reason, not exclusively its qualities.

It seems clear that efficient is not a complete synonym, although I would accede it for describing a piece of computer program code's performance.

Has it occurred in the English language, or are there existing words similar in meaning to what I described that I can use instead?

  • It's already a word in several dictionaries. – Hot Licks Mar 16 '19 at 22:58
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    You didn't make up that word. Google for it. But its a bit of managementese. You can replace it everywhere with 'efficient' – Mitch Mar 16 '19 at 23:01
  • Googling it is why I'm here. :)

    @Laurel: I don't know that Jon Galloway's article applies as answer to that question; mostly, it's a tale of him being surprised and accepting the "verdict". If you describe an athlete, you're allowed to say he's fast without having to bring in competition. In the same way, it should be possible to say a person is performant - whatever his field of endeavor.

    Or, indeed, his work, without the person involved. The works of an artist, writer, or musician might be flamboyant. Isn't it a fact that some professions simply measure works by their performance?

    – Henrik Erlandsson Mar 16 '19 at 23:22
  • I have edited my question to detail why it's necessary, and I'll take the Cambridge definition for now. Thanks :) – Henrik Erlandsson Mar 16 '19 at 23:58
  • Effective, effectual, operative, exemplary - I don't deny that performant is a word, but it seems like there are a few other words that have similar descriptive power. – TaliesinMerlin Mar 17 '19 at 02:25
  • @Mitch I guess a Ferrari at 13MPG is not very "performant" then. – TimR Mar 17 '19 at 12:16
  • @TRomano certainly not perform any if your context is fuel efficiency. Context matters for everything. – Mitch Mar 17 '19 at 13:12

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