effectual

[ih-fek-choo-uh l]

See more synonyms for effectual on Thesaurus.com

adjective

producing or capable of producing an intended effect; adequate.
valid or binding, as an agreement or document.

Origin of effectual

1350–1400; Middle English effectuel (< AF), late Middle English effectual < Medieval Latin effectuālis, equivalent to Latin effectu-, stem of effectus effect + -ālis -al¹

Related formsef·fec·tu·al·ly, adverbef·fec·tu·al·ness, ef·fec·tu·al·i·ty, nounpre·ef·fec·tu·al, adjectivepre·ef·fec·tu·al·ly, adverb

Synonyms for effectual

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1. See effective.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for effectual

effective, efficacious, adequate, binding, capable, conclusive, decisive, efficient, forcible, lawful, legal, licit, potent, powerful, practicable, productive, qualified, serviceable, sound, strong

Examples from the Web for effectual

Contemporary Examples of effectual

And when at last it is perceived that such pity cannot lead to effectual succor, common sense bids the soul be rid of it.
David's Bookclub: Bartleby the Scrivener
David Frum
November 26, 2012

Historical Examples of effectual

She did so, and it proved an effectual screen from head to foot.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
Try as she might she could think of no effectual way to begin.
Grace Harlowe's Return to Overton Campus
Jessie Graham Flower
The plausible and polite manner of the stranger was effectual with George.
Life in London
Edwin Hodder
Mr. Johnson has hit on the most effectual manner of plaguing us all.
Lady Susan
Jane Austen
There is a remedy, and but one effectual remedy, for the errors of the heart.
Female Scripture Biographies, Vol. I
Francis Augustus Cox

British Dictionary definitions for effectual

effectual

adjective

capable of or successful in producing an intended result; effective
(of documents, agreements, etc) having legal force

Derived Formseffectuality or effectualness, 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 effectual

adj.

late 14c., Old French effectuel, from Late Latin effectualis, from Latin effectus "accomplishment, performance" (see effect (n.)). Used properly of actions (not agents) and with a sense "having the effect aimed at." Related: Effectually; effectuality.