effective
[ih-fek-tiv]
- 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.
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- a member of the armed forces fit for duty or active service.
- the effective total of a military force.
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Origin of effective
Synonyms
See more synonyms for effective on Thesaurus.com1. 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.
Antonyms
1. futile, useless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for effective
Contemporary Examples
He could deliver a quick, effective speech, or hold a proper press conference.
If the embargo were effective, the Castro brothers would have been doing Love Letters with the Duvaliers years ago.
Build evidence about the practices, policies, and programs that will achieve the most effective and efficient results.
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 CrisisRussell Saunders
December 19, 2014
In order to know what innovations work, you have to have good information on how effective your practices are.
Historical Examples
And, for the unaesthetic but effective Attila, an able fashioner of pork products from Chicago.
The SpendersHarry Leon Wilson
In the last few meetings he had held he had found this an effective beginning.
In the Midst of AlarmsRobert Barr
But when he left argument and came back to experience he was most effective.
Understanding the ScripturesFrancis McConnell
And that was the one thing which was most effective in restoring Katy's nerves.
Her Father's DaughterGene Stratton-Porter
Her tone is pure, her morals are high, her teachings are direct and effective.
The Boy Life of NapoleonEugenie Foa
effective
- 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
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- a serviceman who is equipped and prepared for action
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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
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.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper