effect Hear it!

effect definition

ef·fect (e fekt′, i-; often ē-, ə-)

noun

  1. anything brought about by a cause or agent; result
  2. the power or ability to bring about results; efficacy a law of little effect
  3. influence or action on something the drug had a cathartic effect
  4. general meaning; purport he spoke to this effect
    1. 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
    2. something, as a design, aspect of nature, etc., that produces a particular impression striking cloud effects
    3. a scientific phenomenon the Doppler effect
  6. the condition or fact of being operative or in force the law goes into effect today
  7. 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

Related Forms:

effect Idioms

give effect to

to put into practice; make operative

in effect

  1. in result; actually; in fact
  2. in essence; virtually
  3. in operation; in force

take effect

to begin to produce results; become operative

to the effect

with the purport or meaning

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

idioms effect idiom

medical effect definition - medical

effect Synonyms

effect

n.

  1. Result

    conclusion, consequence, outcome; see result.

  2. Impact

    influence, impression, force; see impact 2.

give effect to

practice, employ, activate; see use 1.

in effect

in fact, as a result, actually, virtually; see essentially, really 1.

take effect

work, produce results, become operative; see act 1.

to the effect (that)

as a result, so that, therefore; see for. See syn. study at result.


effect

v.

  1. To bring about

    produce, cause, make; see begin 1, cause 2.

  2. To achieve

    accomplish, conclude, fulfill; see achieve 1, perform 1. See syn. study at perform.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

effect Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • drug: Possible side effects Many people worry about the possible side effects of anti-epileptic drugs.

Converse of object

  • have: The battle would have a profound effect on the rest of the war.

Adjective modifier

  • adverse: In any event the possible adverse effect on humans from eating such chickens seems somewhat remote.

Noun used with modifier

  • side: The side effects can be seen in the topical steroids section.
effect usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

effect quotes

The flute is not an instrument that has a good moral effectöit is too exciting.

-Aristotle

Nature is but a name for an effect, Whose cause is God.

-Cowper,William

What I really like is minimum effort for maximum effect. Like with Picasso's Bull's Headöa bike seat and handlebars.

-Hirst, Damien

effect quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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MLA Style

"effect." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/effect>

APA Style

effect. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/effect

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