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View synonyms for

effective

[ ih-fek-tiv, ee-fek ]

adjective

  1. adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result:

    effective teaching methods; effective steps toward peace.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms: ,

  2. actually in operation or in force; functioning:

    The law becomes effective at midnight.

  3. producing a deep or vivid impression; striking:

    an effective photograph.

  4. prepared and available for service, especially military service.


noun

  1. a member of the armed forces fit for duty or active service.
  2. the effective total of a military force.

effective

/ ɪˈɛɪ /

adjective

  1. productive of or capable of producing a result
  2. in effect; operative

    effective from midnight

  3. producing a striking impression; impressive

    an effective entrance

  4. prenominal actual rather than theoretical; real

    the effective income after deductions

  5. (of a military force, etc) equipped and prepared for action
  6. physics (of an alternating quantity) having a value that is the square root of the mean of the squares of the magnitude measured at each instant over a defined period of time, usually one cycle See also root mean square
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a serviceman who is equipped and prepared for action
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈڱ𳦳پԱ, noun
  • ˈڱ𳦳پ, adverb
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Other Word Forms

  • ·ڱ·پ· adverb
  • ·ڱ·پ·Ա ·ڱ·پ··ٲ [ih-fek-, tiv, -i-tee, ee-fek-] noun
  • ··ڱ·پ adjective
  • ܲ·-·ڱ·پ adjective
  • ܲ··ڱ·پ adjective
  • ···ڱ·پ adjective
  • ܲ··ڱ·پ adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of effective1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin ڴڱ𳦳īܲ “practical,” equivalent to effect(us), past participle of efficere ( effect ) + -īܲ adjective suffix ( -ive )
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Synonym Study

operative. telling.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Democrats should forget their stifling, discredited norms, do the right thing for the country and just pick the most effective person for the job.

From

They also made an effective job of developing the 2023 car, which was vicious at the start of the season, but much better by the end of it.

From

A little less unlikely perhaps is the idea that those countries with a trade surplus with the US could help fund the US with an effective tax on their holdings of US government debt.

From

The Rams’ savvy but effective 2025 draft sets them up for another possible title.

From

Both the Lib Dems and the Greens have long been playing effective local ground games, concentrating on building power bases in pockets of the country.

From

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When To Use

are other ways to say effective?

The adjective effective describes things that are adequate to accomplish a purpose, or that produce the intended or expected result. But effective isn’t quite the same as effectual, efficacious, or efficient! Find out why on .

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effecteffective current