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effect
[ ih-fekt ]
noun
- something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence:
Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin.
Synonyms: ,
His protest had no effect.
- the state of being operative or functional; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment:
to bring a plan into effect.
- a mental or emotional impression produced, as by a painting or a speech.
- meaning or sense; purpose or intention:
She disapproved of the proposal and wrote to that effect.
- the making of a desired impression:
We had the feeling that the big, expensive car was only for effect.
- an illusory phenomenon:
a three-dimensional effect.
- a real phenomenon (usually named for its discoverer):
the Doppler effect.
- Usually effects. a special effect, practical effect, or visual effect in a movie, TV show, or other video. : FX
verb (used with object)
- to produce as an effect; bring about; make happen; accomplish:
The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.
Synonyms: , , , ,
effect
/ ɪˈɛ /
noun
- something that is produced by a cause or agent; result
- power or ability to influence or produce a result; efficacy
with no effect
- the condition of being operative (esp in the phrases in or into effect )
the law comes into effect at midnight
- take effectto become operative or begin to produce results
- basic meaning or purpose (esp in the phrase to that effect )
- an impression, usually one that is artificial or contrived (esp in the phrase for effect )
- a scientific phenomenon
the Doppler effect
- in effect
- in fact; actually
- for all practical purposes
- the overall impression or result
the effect of a painting
verb
- tr to cause to occur; bring about; accomplish
Confusables Note
Derived Forms
- ˈڱٱ, noun
- ˈڱپ, adjective
Other Word Forms
- ·ڱ·· adjective
- ··ڱ noun verb (used with object)
- ܲ··ڱ· adjective
- un··ڱ·· adjective
- ɱ-·ڱ· adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of effect1
Word History and Origins
Origin of effect1
Idioms and Phrases
- in effect,
- take effect,
- to go into operation; begin to function.
- to produce a result:
The prescribed medicine failed to take effect.
More idioms and phrases containing effect
see in effect ; into effect ; take effect ; to that effect .Synonym Study
Example Sentences
By contrast, the Europeans and Ukrainians will only discuss what happens to occupied Ukrainian territory after a ceasefire has come into effect.
They say their plan to reform business rates will mean lower taxes for High Street businesses such as hair salons when it comes into effect in 2026-27.
Multiply these effects nationwide, especially in response to tariffs exceeding 100% on Chinese imports, and the claimed revenue benefit quickly becomes a widespread economic burden on vulnerable Americans.
While the quarterly change can skew annual comparisons, the regulator illustrates the effect of the price cap with the annual bill for a household using a typical amount of gas and electricity.
In a normal year, the pass rate for each grade is adjusted slightly but the average effect is small.
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Related Words
Effect Vs. Affect
's the difference between effect and affect?
Effect is most commonly used as a noun meaning a result or consequence. Affect is most commonly used as a verb meaning to act on or produce a change in someone or something.
Remembering the difference between the words can be especially hard because these senses of the words have just about the same pronunciation. Complicating things further is the fact that effect can also be used as a verb (meaning to make happen, as in We can only effect change by taking action) and affect can also be used as a noun (referring to a state of emotion, as in He had a sad affect). However, these senses of the words are much less commonly used.
You can remember that affect is most commonly used as a verb because it begins with a, for action.
You can also remember how effect and affect are most commonly used by using the acronym RAVEN:
R = Remember
A = Affect is
V = Verb
E = Effect is a
N = Noun
Here’s an example of effect and affect used correctly in the same sentence.
Example: It’s unclear what immediate effects the new law will have or how it will affect future generations.
Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between effect and affect.
Quiz yourself on effect vs. affect!
Should effect or affect be used in the following sentence?
The campaign is hoping that the ads have a big _____ on voter turnout.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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