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visual effect

American  
[vizh-oo-uhl i-fekt] / ˈvɪʒ u əl ɪˈfɛkt /

noun

Movies, Television.
  1. Usually visual effects a special effect that is added to a film or video in post-production, as computer-generated imagery. VFX


Etymology

Origin of visual effect

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The colors in this image are not simply for visual effect.

From Science Daily Jul. 5, 2026

He’d eventually join the MGM art department, where he perfected a visual effect technique called “matte painting.”

From Los Angeles Times Jun. 26, 2026

Instead its "load-based" EA permit says that discharges should not have "adverse effects" on plants or animals in the water and that there should be "no significant adverse visual effect".

From BBC May 10, 2025

It created the visual effect of more than doubling what Trump was able to turn, despite covering his ear with a comically oversized bandage and everything.

From Salon Aug. 21, 2024

And when he's done I want to say: "There is a qualitative difference in the visual effect of the room."

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

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