special effects

British  

plural noun

1. films techniques used in the production of scenes that cannot be achieved by normal techniques

---

Example Sentences

Yellowstone elevated television to a new level, and did so without special effects or CGI, but instead via a combination of compelling story, strong writing and acting, and cinematography that rivaled that of movies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

"Young people think they're adding special effects, when in fact they're cramping the style."

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

By avoiding the dramatic lighting and exaggerated special effects often seen in pictures of youth culture, he landed on a distinctive visual style.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

In contrast, working on Mercy was "like a long performance of a two or three-act stage play", but "with special effects on a par with any of the great big blockbusters".

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

The fireworks were by Gandalf: they were not only brought by him, but designed and made by him; and the special effects, set pieces, and flights of rockets were let off by him.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien