cause-and-effect

[kawz-uhnd-i-fekt, -uhn-]

adjective

1. noting a relationship between actions or events such that one or more are the result of the other or others.

Related Words

• chemical reaction 
• vicious circle 

When To Use

What does cause-and-effect mean?

Cause-and-effect describes a relationship between actions or events in which at least one action or event is a direct result of the others.Let’s say that you slam your toe into a desk and then yell in pain. Slamming your toe (the first action) hurts, so you yell (the second action). The first action is the cause of the second action, that is, the effect. A cause is a source or producer of effects. An effect is the result or consequence of a cause. The two actions have a cause-and-effect relationship.A cause-and-effect relationship can have multiple causes and one effect, as when you stay up all night and skip breakfast (the causes), you will likely find yourself cranky (the effect).A cause-and-effect relationship can also have one cause but many effects, as when staying up all night (the cause) makes you both cranky and tired (the effects).And, of course, a cause-and-effect relationship can have multiple causes and multiple effects, as when skipping classes and not studying (the causes) result in you not understanding the material and failing the class (the effects).