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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: ,power to produce results; efficacy; force; influence.
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
to 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 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
Other Word Forms
- effectible adjective
- preeffect noun
- uneffected adjective
- uneffectible adjective
- well-effected adjective
- ˈڱٱ noun
- ˈڱپ adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of effect1
Word History and Origins
Origin of effect1
Idioms and Phrases
take effect,
to go into operation; begin to function.
to produce a result.
The prescribed medicine failed to take effect.
in effect,
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
The latest statistics go up to March and therefore don't take into account the knock-on effect of increased small boat crossings in the months since.
It is yet another sign that the industry is still recovering from the effects of the pandemic and the dual writers’ and actors’ strikes of 2023, while also trying to navigate the changing media landscape.
The track characteristics have the opposite effect on championship leaders McLaren, whose car is the best in the field at managing tyre temperatures.
He also pointed out to the BBC that low-lying coastal areas, where some nickel deposits are found, are some of the places most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels.
Bass said an 8 p.m. curfew would remain in effect Saturday night and implored protesters to stay away from violence and vandalism.
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Related Words
When To Use
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 = RememberA = Affect isV = VerbE = Effect is aN = NounHere’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.
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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