Definitions for effect
ɪˈfɛktef·fect

Princeton's WordNet(3.57 / 7 votes)Rate this definition:

1. consequence, effect, outcome, result, event, issue, upshot(noun)

   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, effect(noun)

   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. effect(noun)

   an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived)

   "he just did it for effect"

4. effect, essence, burden, core, gist(noun)

   the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work

5. effect, force(noun)

   (of a law) having legal validity

   "the law is still in effect"

6. effect(verb)

   a symptom caused by an illness or a drug

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

7. effect, effectuate, set up(verb)

   produce

   "The scientists set up a shock wave"

8. effect(verb)

   act so as to bring into existence

   "effect a change"

Wiktionary(4.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. effect(Noun)

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

   The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.

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

2. effect(Noun)

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

   The effect of flying was most convincing.

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

3. effect(Noun)

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

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

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

4. effect(Noun)

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

   I just bought a couple of great effects.

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

5. effect(Noun)

   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.

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

6. effect(Noun)

   A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.

   Doppler effect

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

7. effect(Noun)

   Belongings, usually as personal effects.

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

8. effect(Verb)

   To make or bring about; to implement.

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

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

Webster Dictionary(1.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Effect(noun)

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

2. Effect(noun)

   manifestation; expression; sign

3. Effect(noun)

   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. Effect(noun)

   impression left on the mind; sensation produced

5. Effect(noun)

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

6. Effect(noun)

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

7. Effect(noun)

   the purport; the sum and substance

8. Effect(noun)

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

9. Effect(noun)

   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. Effect(verb)

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

11. Effect(verb)

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

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

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 Terms(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

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 Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

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  

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

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

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. Amit Gupta:

   Electricity is a big problem here, it often cuts (off) several times a day, so these buildings are structured in a way that prevents overheating. The curvatures allow for an even distribution of wind for an enhanced cooling effect.

2. Bill Robles:

   The girls would have outbursts. He would have occasional outbursts. They would all do the same thing and copy him. One time they removed him from the courtroom and put him a holding cell, behind a locked door with a little screen, at one point he was agitated and (said) something to the effect of 'Somebody ought to cut your head off, judge' ... And before you knew it, Bingo! He was leaping toward the judge. The bailiff tackled him in midair.

3. Sarah Timmapuri:

   Even if I did not do a single thing with the information, just the patient knowing that I'm reviewing it will already have a positive effect.

4. Victoria Atkins:

   It demonstrates just how fast moving this virus is and how unprecedented it is in its effect.

5. Jeb Bush:

   I don't view this debating as a question of winning and losing. It's a cumulative effect of shaping peoples' opinion about who you are, that matters over the long haul.

Images & Illustrations of effect

Popularity rank by frequency of use