special effect

American  

[spesh-uhl i-fekt] / ˈspɛʃ əl ɪˈfɛkt /

noun

Movies, Television.

1. Usually special effects a video or audio illusion in film or other media, created with computer-generated images, prosthetic makeup, pyrotechnics, etc. SFX

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Etymology

Origin of special effect

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

A scene in which Bill taps his glass eye with a knife was not some special effect.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Rather than the warm acoustical refinement of the famed Musikverein, the Vienna Philharmonic’s home, every orchestral utterance jumped out at the audience like a 3D special effect.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2025

If we are up close, we can use macro lenses and can slow things down, that could be a very special effect.

From Salon • Jan. 9, 2025

When his outline is beamed high above the crowd at Latitude festival, it's like a giant, wondrous special effect.

From BBC • Jul. 21, 2023

“That’s not right! It can’t be real! It’s a special effect or something, right? I mean, I can deal with little monsters with axes and blue fire tunnels and everything, but that’s not right!”

From "Half Upon a Time" by James Riley