Definitions for effect
ɪˈfɛktef·fect

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:3.6 / 7 votes

1. consequence, effect, outcome, result, event, issue, upshotnoun

   a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

   "the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwise"; "his decision had depressing consequences for business"; "he acted very wise after the event"

2. impression, effectnoun

   an outward appearance

   "he made a good impression"; "I wanted to create an impression of success"; "she retained that bold effect in her reproductions of the original painting"

3. effectnoun

   an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived)

   "he just did it for effect"

4. effect, essence, burden, core, gistnoun

   the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

5. effect, forcenoun

   (of a law) having legal validity

   "the law is still in effect"

6. effectverb

   a symptom caused by an illness or a drug

   "the effects of sleep loss"; "the effect of the anesthetic"

7. effect, effectuate, set upverb

   produce

   "The scientists set up a shock wave"

8. effectverb

   act so as to bring into existence

   "effect a change"

WiktionaryRate this definition:4.7 / 3 votes

1. effectnoun

   The result or outcome of a cause. See usage notes below.

   The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.

2. effectnoun

   An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect")

   The effect of flying was most convincing.

3. effectnoun

   An alteration in sound after it has been produced by an instrument.

   I use an echo effect here to make the sound more mysterious.

4. effectnoun

   A device for producing an alteration in sound produced by an instrument.

   I just bought a couple of great effects.

5. effectnoun

   The state of being binding and enforceable, as in a rule, policy, or law.

   The new law will come into effect on the first day of next year.

6. effectnoun

   A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.

   Doppler effect

7. effectnoun

   Belongings, usually as personal effects.

8. effectverb

   To make or bring about; to implement.

   The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders.

9. Etymology: For noun: from effect (French: effet), from effectus, from efficio; see effect as a verb.

Samuel Johnson's DictionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Effectnoun

   Etymology: effectus, Latin.

   1. That which is produced by an operating cause.

   You may see by her example, in herself wise, and of others beloved, that neither folly is the cause of vehement love, nor reproach the effect. Philip Sidney, b. ii.

   Effect is the substance produced, or simple idea introduced into any subject, by the exerting of power? John Locke.

   We see the pernicious effects of luxury in the antient Romans, who immediately found themselves poor as soon as this vice got footing among them. Joseph Addison, on Italy.

   2. Consequence; event.

   No man, in effect, doth accompany with others, but he learneth, ere he is aware, some gesture, or voice, or fashion. Francis Bacon, Natural History, №. 236.

   To say of a celebrated piece that there are faults in it, is, in effect, to say that the author of it is a man. Joseph Addison, Guard.

   3. Purpose; intention; general intent.

   They spake to her to that effect. 2 Chro. xxxiv. 22.

   4. Consequence intended; success; advantage.

   Christ is become of no effect unto you. Gal. v. 4.

   He should depart only with a title, the effect whereof he should not be possessed of, before he had very well deserved it. Edward Hyde, b. viii.

   The custom or institution has hitherto proved without effect, and has neither extinguished the practice of such crimes, nor lessened the numbers of such criminals. William Temple.

   5. Completion; perfection.

   Semblant art shall carve the fair effect,
   And full atchievement of thy great designs. Matthew Prior.

   6. Reality; not mere appearance.

   In shew, a marvellous indifferently composed senate ecclesiastical was to govern, but in effect one only man should, as the spirit and soul of the residue, do all in all. Richard Hooker.

   State and wealth, the business and the crowd,
   Seems at this distance but a darker cloud;
   And is to him, who rightly things esteems,
   No other in effect than what it seems. John Denham.

   7. [In the plural.] Goods; moveables.

   What form of prayer
   Can serve my turn? Forgive me my foul murther!
   That cannot be, since I am still possest
   Of those effects for which I did the murther,
   My crown, mine own ambition, and my queen. William Shakespeare.

   The emperor knew that they could not convey away many of their effects. Joseph Addison, Spectator, №. 499.

2. To Effectverb

   Etymology: efficio, Latin.

   1. To bring to pass; to attempt with success; to atchieve; to accomplish as an agent.

   Being consul, I not doubt t’ effect
   All that you wish. Ben Jonson, Catil.

   2. To produce as a cause.

   The change made of that syrup into a purple colour, was effected by the vinegar. Robert Boyle, on Colours.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. effect

   Effect is a result or an outcome that is produced by a cause. It often relates to changes or events in physical, emotional, social or other realms that occur in response to actions, behaviors, circumstances or other stimuli.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:1.5 / 2 votes

1. Effectnoun

   execution; performance; realization; operation; as, the law goes into effect in May

2. Effectnoun

   manifestation; expression; sign

3. Effectnoun

   in general: That which is produced by an agent or cause; the event which follows immediately from an antecedent, called the cause; result; consequence; outcome; fruit; as, the effect of luxury

4. Effectnoun

   impression left on the mind; sensation produced

5. Effectnoun

   power to produce results; efficiency; force; importance; account; as, to speak with effect

6. Effectnoun

   consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; -- with to

7. Effectnoun

   the purport; the sum and substance

8. Effectnoun

   reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance

9. Effectnoun

   goods; movables; personal estate; -- sometimes used to embrace real as well as personal property; as, the people escaped from the town with their effects

10. Effectverb

    to produce, as a cause or agent; to cause to be

11. Effectverb

    to bring to pass; to execute; to enforce; to achieve; to accomplish

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:3.0 / 1 vote

1. Effect

   ef-fekt′, n. the result of an action: impression produced: reality: the consequence intended: (pl.) goods: property.—v.t. to produce: to accomplish.—ns. Effec′ter, Effec′tor.—adjs. Effec′tible, that may be effected; Effec′tive, having power to effect: causing something: powerful: serviceable.—adv. Effec′tively.—n. Effec′tiveness.—adjs. Effect′less, without effect, useless; Effec′tual, successful in producing the desired effect: (Shak.) decisive.—n. Effectual′ity.—adv. Effec′tually.—v.t. Effec′tuate, to accomplish.—n. Effectua′tion.—Effectual calling (theol.), the invitation to come to Christ which the elect receive.—For effect, so as to make a telling impression; General effect, the effect produced by a picture, &c., as a whole; Give effect to, to accomplish, perform; In effect, in truth, really: substantially.—Leave no effects, to die without property to bequeath.—Take effect, to begin to operate: to come into force. [Fr.,—L. efficĕre, effectum, to accomplish—ex, out, facĕre, to make.]

Dictionary of Military and Associated TermsRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. effect

   1. The physical or behavioral state of a system that results from an action, a set of actions, or another effect. 2. The result, outcome, or consequence of an action. 3. A change to a condition, behavior, or degree of freedom.

Editors ContributionRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. effect

   The ability or power to create.

   The effect was positive and easy therefore it was allowed.

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on January 22, 2020  

2. ---

   effect

   The feeling produced by a specific cause

   The effect of the new Socialist Unity Government is amazing, the people are singing and dancing together with unity and gratitude in the streets all across the country

   
   

   Submitted by MaryC on April 8, 2021  

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Effect

   Effect vs. Affect -- In this Grammar.com article you will learn the differences between the words Effect and Affect.

Matched Categories

1. • Act
   • Appearance
   • Impression
   • Law
   • Meaning
   • Validity

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'effect' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #380

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'effect' in Written Corpus Frequency: #914

3. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'effect' in Nouns Frequency: #64

4. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'effect' in Verbs Frequency: #933

How to pronounce effect?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say effect in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of effect in Chaldean Numerology is: 6

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of effect in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of effect in a Sentence

1. George Bernard Shaw:

   Self-denial is not a virtue it is only the effect of prudence on rascality.

2. Florence Nightingale:

   Volumes are now being written and spoken about the effect of the mind on the body -- I wish more was thought of the effect of the body on the mind.

3. Isabelle Claudet:

   The main problem is that it is considered as a safe product because it is used for its hair effect, but people forget its main indication as a hypotensive agent, at therapeutic dosage, there is usually no serious adverse effect, but for a child, some milliliters or a teaspoon can lead to long-lasting hypotension.

4. Human Services Commissioner Mary Mayhew:

   We do not believe that a policy putting photos on EBT cards has a ‘chilling effect’ on their appropriate use any more than putting photos on drivers licenses has a ‘chilling effect’ on driving.

5. Max Beerbohm:

   To say that a man is vain means merely that he is pleased with the effect he produces on other people. A conceited man is satisfied with the effect he produces on himself.

Popularity rank by frequency of use