effective Hear it!

effective definition

ef·fec·tive (e fek′tiv, i-; often ē-, ə-)

adjective

  1. having an effect; producing a result
  2. producing a definite or desired result; efficient
  3. in effect; operative; active
  4. actual, not merely potential or theoretical
  5. making a striking impression; impressive
  6. equipped and ready for combat

Etymology: ME & OFr effectif < L effectivus

noun

a soldier, unit, etc. equipped and ready for combat: usually used in pl.

Related Forms:

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

effective Synonyms

effective

modif.

efficient, efficacious, effectual, serviceable, producing the expected result, producing the desired result, useful, operative, active, in force, in effect, sufficient, adequate, productive, capable, competent, yielding, practical, valid, telling, striking, forceful, powerful, compelling, cogent, trenchant.

Antonyms inoperative, useless*, inefficient.

effective is applied to that which produces a definite effect or result an effective speaker; efficacious refers to that which is capable of producing the desired effect or result an efficacious remedy; effectual specifically implies the production of the desired effect or result in a decisive manner an effectual reply to his charge; efficient implies skill and economy of energy in producing the desired result and when applied to persons implies competence an efficient machine, an efficient worker


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.

effective Usage Examples

Preposition: against

  • strain: It is also effective against clinically important strains of yeasts and fungi ( Wright, Lam, Hansen & Burrell, 1999 ).

Modifies a noun

  • way: Charley wants to discover an effective way of freezing soft fruit in the hope of making a fortune.

Modifying Another Word

  • highly: The end result appears to have been a highly effective local militia.

Used with adjective complement

  • prove: A cheaper and safer alternative to chemical control has proved highly effective against several key insect pests.

Preposition: if

  • misuser: Evidence suggests that treatment is more likely to be effective if drug misusers stay in treatment for at least 12 weeks.

Preposition: for

  • species: Effective for all species at all ages; housing, equipment, food storage and transport, game larders, and in drinking water.

Preposition: than

  • true/false: This " learning by doing ' " model is far more effective than the traditional true/false, multiple choice approach.
effective 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.

effective quotes

Being effective is more important to me than being recognized.

-Beckett, Margaret (Mary)

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

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

APA Style

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

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

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