Definitions for effectiveɪˈfɛk tɪv

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ef•fec•tive^*ɪˈfɛk tɪv(adj.)

adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result:
effective teaching methods.
in operation or in force; functioning; operative:
The law becomes effective at midnight.
producing a deep or vivid impression; striking:
an effective photograph.
prepared and available for service, esp. military service.
Category: Military
(n.)a member of the armed forces fit for duty or active service.
Category: Military

^* Syn: effective , effectual , efficacious , efficient refer to that which produces or is able to produce an effect. effective is applied to something that produces a desired or expected effect, often a lasting one: an effective speech. effectual usu. refers to something that produces a decisive outcome or result: an effectual settlement. efficacious refers to something capable of achieving a certain end or purpose: an efficacious remedy. efficient , usu. used of a person, implies skillful accomplishment of a purpose with little waste of effort: an efficient manager.

Origin of effective:

1350–1400; ME < L effectīvus=effect(us), ptp. of efficere (see effect ) +-īvus -ive

ef•fec′tive•ness(n.)

ef•fec•tiv′i•ty(n.)

Princeton's WordNet

effective, effectual, efficacious(adj)
producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
"an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law"
effective, efficient(adj)
able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively
"people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons..."-G.B.Shaw; "effective personnel"; "an efficient secretary"; "the efficient cause of the revolution"
effective(adj)
works well as a means or remedy
"an effective reprimand"; "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat"
effective, good, in effect(p), in force(p)(adj)
exerting force or influence
"the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)"
effective(adj)
existing in fact; not theoretical; real
"a decline in the effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done"
effective(adj)
ready for service
"the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

effective(adjective)ɪˈfɛk tɪv
≠ ineffective
a very effective technique; a medicine that is not effective in the treatment of colds
effectiveɪˈfɛk tɪv
in use or having an impact
new laws effective from January 1st; the effectiveness of the new technique

Wiktionary

effective(Adjective)
Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.
The pill is an effective method of birth control.
effective(Adjective)
Producing a decided or decisive effect.
The president delivered an effective speech!
effective(Adjective)
Efficient, serviceable, or operative, available for useful work.
effective(Adjective)
Actually in effect.
The curfew is effective at midnight.

Webster Dictionary

Effective(adj)
having the power to produce an effect or effects; producing a decided or decisive effect; efficient; serviceable; operative; as, an effective force, remedy, speech; the effective men in a regiment
Effective(noun)
that which produces a given effect; a cause
Effective(noun)
one who is capable of active service
Effective(noun)
specie or coin, as distinguished from paper currency; -- a term used in many parts of Europe

Translations for effective

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary

effective(adjective)

having power to produce, or producing, a desired result

These new teaching methods have proved very effective.

effektiefAfrikaans
فَعّالArabic
ефективенBulgarian
eficazPortuguese (BR)
účinnýCzech
wirkungsvollGerman
effektivDanish
αποτελεσματικός, αποδοτικόςGreek
eficazSpanish
tõhusEstonian
موثر؛ نتیجه بخشFarsi
tehokasFinnish
efficaceFrench
יָעִילHebrew
प्रभावकारीHindi
djelotvoranCroatian
hatékonyHungarian
efektifIndonesian
árangursríkurIcelandic
efficaceItalian
効果的なJapanese
효과적인Korean
veiksmingas, efektyvusLithuanian
efektīvs, iedarbīgsLatvian
berkesanMalay
effectiefDutch
effektiv, virkningsfullNorwegian
skutecznyPolish
موثر؛ نتیجه بخشPersian
اغيزه ناك، نتيجه ور كوونكى، نافذ، په چلند كې، چمتو، تيارسى، اثرناك، په ځاى، واقعىPashto
eficazPortuguese
eficaceRomanian
эффективныйRussian
účinnýSlovak
učinkovitSlovenian
delotvoranSerbian
effektiv, verkningsfullSwedish
มีประสิทธิผลThai
etkiliTurkish
有效的Chinese (Trad.)
дійовий; ефективнийUkrainian
ذی اثرUrdu
có hiệu quảVietnamese
有效的Chinese (Simp.)