EFFECT Definition & Meaning

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effect

[ ih-fekt ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence:
Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin.
Synonyms: ,
power to produce results; efficacy; force; influence:
His protest had no effect.
the state of being operative or functional; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment:
to bring a plan into effect.
a mental or emotional impression produced, as by a painting or a speech.
meaning or sense; purpose or intention:
She disapproved of the proposal and wrote to that effect.
the making of a desired impression:
We had the feeling that the big, expensive car was only for effect.
an illusory phenomenon:
a three-dimensional effect.
a real phenomenon (usually named for its discoverer):
the Doppler effect.
Usually effects. a special effect, practical effect, or visual effect in a movie, TV show, or other video. : FX

verb (used with object)

to produce as an effect; bring about; make happen; accomplish:
The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.
Synonyms: , , , ,

effect

/ ɪˈ��ɛ�� /

noun

something that is produced by a cause or agent; result
power or ability to influence or produce a result; efficacy
with no effect
the condition of being operative (esp in the phrases in or into effect )
the law comes into effect at midnight
take effect
to become operative or begin to produce results
basic meaning or purpose (esp in the phrase to that effect )
an impression, usually one that is artificial or contrived (esp in the phrase for effect )
a scientific phenomenon
the Doppler effect
in effect
1. in fact; actually
2. for all practical purposes
the overall impression or result
the effect of a painting

verb

tr to cause to occur; bring about; accomplish

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Confusables Note

See affect ¹.

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Derived Forms

��ˈ�ڱ𳦳ٱ��, noun
��ˈ�ڱ𳦳پ��, adjective

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Other 51�Թ� Forms

��·�ڱ𳦳�·��·�� adjective
��·��·�ڱ𳦳� noun verb (used with object)
�ܲ�·��·�ڱ𳦳�·�� adjective
un·��·�ڱ𳦳�·��·�� adjective
�ɱ��-��·�ڱ𳦳�·�� adjective

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of effect¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin effectus “the carrying out (of a task, etc.),” hence, “accomplishment, outcome,” equivalent to effec- (variant stem of efficere “to make, carry out”; ef- combining form meaning “out, out from, beyond” + -ficere combining form of the verb facere “do, make”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; ef-, do ¹

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of effect¹

C14: from Latin effectus a performing, tendency, from efficere to accomplish, from facere to do

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Idioms and Phrases

in effect,
1. for practical purposes; virtually:
  His silence was in effect a confirmation of the rumor.
2. essentially; basically.
3. operating or functioning; in force:
  The plan is now in effect.
take effect,
1. to go into operation; begin to function.
2. to produce a result:
  The prescribed medicine failed to take effect.

More idioms and phrases containing effect

see in effect ; into effect ; take effect ; to that effect .

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Synonym Study

Effect, consequence(s), result refer to something produced by an action or a cause. An effect is that which is produced, usually more or less immediately and directly: The effect of morphine is to produce sleep. A consequence, something that follows naturally or logically, as in a train of events or sequence of time, is less intimately connected with its cause than is an effect: Punishment is the consequence of disobedience. A result may be near or remote, and often is the sum of effects or consequences as making an end or final outcome: The English language is the result of the fusion of many different elements.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Hapna’s affordability and touted lack of side effects led to its global usage, followed by Skinner’s sudden disappearance.

From

An initial wave of tariffs on cars came into effect from 3 April, with import taxes on auto parts due to follow next month.

From

"The law is still in effect. The companies are still violating it by providing services to TikTok."

From

Experts noted that the effects of the sweeping environmental changes will not be felt equally, as low-income communities and communities of color experience disproportionate levels of air pollution, water quality issues and other climate hazards.

From

This effect, combined with the slowdown in residential transactions, is impeding property tax growth.

From

Related 51�Թ�s

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Effect Vs. Affect

What's the difference between effect and affect?

Effect is most commonly used as a noun meaning a result or consequence. Affect is most commonly used as a verb meaning to act on or produce a change in someone or something.

Remembering the difference between the words can be especially hard because these senses of the words have just about the same pronunciation. Complicating things further is the fact that effect can also be used as a verb (meaning to make happen, as in We can only effect change by taking action) and affect can also be used as a noun (referring to a state of emotion, as in He had a sad affect). However, these senses of the words are much less commonly used.

You can remember that affect is most commonly used as a verb because it begins with a, for action.

You can also remember how effect and affect are most commonly used by using the acronym RAVEN:

R = Remember
A = Affect is
V = Verb
E = Effect is a
N = Noun

Here’s an example of effect and affect used correctly in the same sentence.

Example: It’s unclear what immediate effects the new law will have or how it will affect future generations.

Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between effect and affect.

Quiz yourself on effect vs. affect!

Should effect or affect be used in the following sentence?

The campaign is hoping that the ads have a big _____ on voter turnout.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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