effective

[ ih-fek-tiv, ee-fek‐ ]

/ ɪˈfɛk tɪv, iˈfɛk‐ /

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See synonyms for: effective / effectively / effectiveness 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.

OTHER WORDS FOR effective

1 capable, competent.

See synonyms for effective on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR effective

1 futile, useless.

See antonyms for effective on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of effective

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin effectīvus “practical,” equivalent to effect(us), past participle of efficere (see effect) + -īvus adjective suffix (see -ive)

synonym study for effective

2. operative. 3. telling.

OTHER WORDS FROM effective

ef·fec·tive·ly, adverbef·fec·tive·ness, ef·fec·tiv·i·ty

[ih-fek-tiv-i-tee, ee-fek-] /ɪˌfɛkˈtɪv ɪ ti, iˌfɛk-/ nounpre·ef·fec·tive, adjectivequa·si-ef·fec·tive, adjective

sub·ef·fec·tive, adjectivesub·ef·fec·tive·ness, nounsu·per·ef·fec·tive, adjectivesu·per·ef·fec·tive·ness, nounun·ef·fec·tive, adjectiveun·ef·fec·tive·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH effective

affective, effective

How to use effective in a sentence

“Generally, my idea of an effective workout tiktok is one that actually teaches viewers something,” says Gach.
Use TikTok to build the perfect workout|Sandra Gutierrez G.|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
Beyond that, though, the most effective way to do so is to wear a mask, most likely preventing the wearer from spreading the virus should they be infected.
In 160 words, Trump reveals how little he cares about the pandemic|Philip Bump|September 17, 2020|Washington Post
Companies need more cost-effective solutions and greater flexibility as business models shift.
Demand Sage raises $3M to make sales and marketing data more accessible|Anthony Ha|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
I think we’ve been effective at tamping down rumors and a lot is the tone.
Mobilizing the National Guard Doesn’t Mean Your State Is Under Martial Law. Usually.|by Logan Jaffe|September 17, 2020|ProPublica

Communities will also need better fire detection and notification systems, redundant evacuation routes, and more effective emergency response practices.
Suppressing fires has failed. Here’s what California needs to do instead.|James Temple|September 17, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Ever since it was created in 1965, politicians and researchers have studied and debated its effectiveness.
Can the U.S. Government Go Moneyball?|Peter Orszag, Jim Nussle|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The culture of promotion through seniority kills creativity and effectiveness.
Your Local School Doesn’t Have to Suck|Michael S. Roth|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The trouble comes from overconfidence in their effectiveness.
Kids Eat the Darndest Things: Laundry Pods, Teething Necklaces, and More Of The Weirdest Stuff Sending Kids to the E.R.|Russell Saunders|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
William Lloyd Garrison was probably the most prominent leader who relied on the effectiveness of hellfire.
Americans’ Burning Obsession With Hell|William O’Connor|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The effectiveness of these pamphlets, and the awareness of its writers are apparent in one Lum digs up called “To Mothers.”
Americans’ Burning Obsession With Hell|William O’Connor|September 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The result is, with the inward retreat of the steep it enters on conditions which diminish the effectiveness of the wave stroke.
Outlines of the Earth's History|Nathaniel Southgate Shaler
Whether Madame Probasco was feigning or not, the outstanding fact was that the next experiments varied greatly in effectiveness.
The Woman Gives|Owen Johnson
Once they permitted the possibility of defeat to possess them their effectiveness would decrease.
A Virginia Scout|Hugh Pendexter
The blockade of Leghorn was enforced with the utmost rigor and great effectiveness.
The Life of Nelson, Vol. I (of 2)|A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
This is all the more deplorable because the effectiveness of sexual education is minimised through the lack of insight.
The Sexual Life of the Child|Albert Moll

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 forms of effective

effectively, 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

effective

OTHER WORDS FOR effective

OPPOSITES FOR effective

Origin of effective

synonym study for effective

OTHER WORDS FROM effective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH effective

Words related to effective

How to use effective in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for effective

Derived forms of effective