effect Definition
ef·fect (e fekt′, i-; often ē-, ə-)
noun
- anything brought about by a cause or agent; result
- the power or ability to bring about results; efficacy a law of little effect
- influence or action on something the drug had a cathartic effect
- general meaning; purport he spoke to this effect
- the impression produced on the mind of the observer or hearer, as by artistic design or manner of speaking, acting, etc. to do something just for effect
- something, as a design, aspect of nature, etc., that produces a particular impression striking cloud effects
- a scientific phenomenon the Doppler effect
- the condition or fact of being operative or in force the law goes into effect today
- belongings; property household effects
Etymology: ME < OFr (& L) < L effectus, orig., pp. of efficere, to bring to pass, accomplish < ex-, out + facere, do
transitive verb
to bring about; produce as a result; cause; accomplish to effect a compromise
effect Related Forms
effect Idioms
give effect to
to put into practice; make operative
in effect
- in result; actually; in fact
- in essence; virtually
- in operation; in force
take effect
to begin to produce results; become operative
to the effect
with the purport or meaning
effect Synonyms
effect
n.
Result
conclusion, consequence, outcome; see result.Impact
influence, impression, force; see impact 2.
give effect to
in effect
take effect
to the effect (that)
effect Synonyms
effect
v.
effect Usage Examples
Preposition: of
- drug: Possible side effects Many people worry about the possible side effects of anti-epileptic drugs.
- alcohol: The intoxicating effects of the alcohol will be increased.
Converse of object
- have: The battle would have a profound effect on the rest of the war.
- investigate: Over a dozen studies have investigated effects of RF/MW exposure on sister chromatid exchange, mainly in lymphocytes.
- examine: The study also examined the effects of a Head Start program that used the High/Scope educational approach.
- desire: Carefully compare the new unsigned master with the old one, to make sure that the changes achieve the desired effect.
- minimize: A school needs to approach an allegation practically, and in such a way as to minimize these effects as much as possible.
- assess: Findings Impact 3 Several years will be needed to assess the full effects of the National Minimum Wage.
Adjective modifier
- adverse: In any event the possible adverse effect on humans from eating such chickens seems somewhat remote.
- negative: We can share with others the negative effects of the privatization of water in the UK.
- detrimental: The report concluded that high volumes of traffic along the High Street and Church Street were having a detrimental effect on air quality.
- beneficial: In small quantities it may even have a beneficial effect on health.
- immediate: The changes had an immediate effect, with Purse forced to head away a cross from Stuart Green.
- positive: Longer exposure of sleeping subjects showed positive effects on EEG.
Noun used with modifier
- side: The side effects can be seen in the topical steroids section.
- knock-on: The department closures are already having a knock-on effect.
- greenhouse: The lecture explains the greenhouse effect; the percentage of each greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere.
- lighting: A broad spectrum of lighting effects allows them to offer the most competitive value for lighting in the industry.
- deterrent: She did, however, celebrate what she regarded as the deterrent effect of measures such as these.
- coal: ACCOMMODATION: Sleeps 6 Ground Floor: Lounge with coal effect gas fire.
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