effectiveness

Rarely ef·fec·tiv·i·ty

[ih-fek-tiv-nis, ee-fek‐]

noun

1. the quality of producing an intended or desired result.

   For maximum effectiveness of your weight loss plan, you need to combine exercise with a healthy diet.

2. the quality of producing a deep or vivid impression.

   We were struck by the evident appeal and effectiveness of these short, dramatic, upbeat video stories.

3. a measure of the success of a vaccine or other pharmaceutical when used in the real world, as opposed to the controlled environment of a clinical trial.

Other Word Forms

• subeffectiveness noun
• supereffectiveness noun
• uneffectiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of effectiveness¹

First recorded in 1600–10; effective ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Instead, she wishes the state would focus on home-hardening, which has much more compelling research to support its effectiveness.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

India's efforts to combat air pollution by using cloud seeding in its sprawling capital New Delhi appear to have fallen flat, with scientists and activists questioning the effectiveness of the move.

Read more on Barron's

“That could be countered by U.S. sanctions on Rosneft/Lukoil, but I don’t think traders put much store in the effectiveness of sanctions. Maybe this time it’s different.”

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Austin’s victories came with headers off corner kicks, a detail that reflects the team’s effectiveness on set pieces.

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A new report from the city controller’s office questions the effectiveness of the LAPD’s signature crisis response program, saying clinicians trained in de-escalation too often are forced to defer to armed patrol officers.

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Related Words

• capability 
• efficacy 
• efficiency 
• potency 
• power 
• success