effective

[ ih-fek-tiv ]

/ ɪˈfɛk tɪv /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR effective ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result: effective teaching methods; effective steps toward peace.

actually in operation or in force; functioning: The law becomes effective at midnight.

producing a deep or vivid impression; striking: an effective photograph.

prepared and available for service, especially military service.

noun

a member of the armed forces fit for duty or active service.

the effective total of a military force.

Nearby words

eff., effable, efface, effect, effecter, effective, effective conjugate, effective current, effective dose, effective half-life, effective osmotic pressure

Origin of effective

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin effectīvus practical, equivalent to effect(us), past participle of efficere (see effect) + -īvus -ive

SYNONYMS FOR effective

1 capable, competent. Effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient refer to that which is able to produce a (desired) effect. Effective is applied to that which has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective action, remedy, speech. Effectual is used especially of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy. Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine. Efficient (applied also to persons) implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager.

2 operative.

3 telling.

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ANTONYMS FOR effective

1 futile, useless.

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Related forms

ef·fec·tive·ly, adverbef·fec·tive·ness, ef·fec·tiv·i·ty, nounpre·ef·fec·tive, adjectivepre·ef·fec·tive·ly, adverb

qua·si-ef·fec·tive, adjectivequa·si-ef·fec·tive·ly, adverbsub·ef·fec·tive, adjectivesub·ef·fec·tive·ly, adverbsub·ef·fec·tive·ness, nounsu·per·ef·fec·tive, adjectivesu·per·ef·fec·tive·ly, adverbsu·per·ef·fec·tive·ness, nounun·ef·fec·tive, adjectiveun·ef·fec·tive·ly, adverbun·ef·fec·tive·ness, noun

Can be confusedaffective effective (see synonym study at the current entry)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for effective

He could deliver a quick, effective speech, or hold a proper press conference.
Obama’s Pot Policy Is Refer Madness|James Poulos|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If the embargo were effective, the Castro brothers would have been doing Love Letters with the Duvaliers years ago.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Build evidence about the practices, policies, and programs that will achieve the most effective and efficient results.
Can the U.S. Government Go Moneyball?|Peter Orszag, Jim Nussle|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While there are a couple of antibiotics that usually work, if they are overused they, too, may cease to be effective.
Without Education, Antibiotic Resistance Will Be Our Greatest Health Crisis|Russell Saunders|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In order to know what innovations work, you have to have good information on how effective your practices are.
Your Local School Doesn’t Have to Suck|Michael S. Roth|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They were just returning to the shelter of the doorway when two shots rang out, but neither was effective.
The Campaign of the Jungle|Edward Stratemeyer
Rapid-fire guns of this class represent the most effective form of modern ordnance.
The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.|Edward W. Byrn
They were all effective, and though Boxer Hall tried to stem the rush, it was impossible.
A Quarter-Back's Pluck|Lester Chadwick
The vocal and instrumental combinations are undoubtedly happy and effective.
Verdi: Man and Musician|Frederick James Crowest
Her hands and arms were enfolded in the blanket, and she was unable to make anything like effective resistance.
Frank Merriwell's Pursuit|Burt L. Standish

British Dictionary definitions for effective

effective

/ (ɪˈfɛktɪv) /

adjective

productive of or capable of producing a result

in effect; operativeeffective from midnight

producing a striking impression; impressivean effective entrance

(prenominal) actual rather than theoretical; realthe effective income after deductions

(of a military force, etc) equipped and prepared for action

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 cycleSee also root mean square

noun

a serviceman who is equipped and prepared for action

Derived Formseffectively, adverbeffectiveness, noun

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

Word Origin and History for effective

effective

adj.

late 14c., from French effectif, from Latin effectivus "productive, effective," from effect-, stem of efficere (see effect (n.)). Effectively in the sense of "actually" is attested by 1650s. Related: Effectivity.

effective

adjective

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of effective

Examples from the Web for effective

British Dictionary definitions for effective

effective

adjective

noun

Word Origin and History for effective

effective