Definitions for effect
ɪˈfɛktef·fect

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

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"

Wiktionary(4.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. effectnoun

   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. effectnoun

   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. 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.

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

4. effectnoun

   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. 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.

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

6. effectnoun

   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. effectnoun

   Belongings, usually as personal effects.

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

8. effectverb

   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. 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 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  

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  

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

   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. James Spiotto:

   This could have a very adverse effect on the use of special revenues all over.

2. Comedian Leslie Jones:

   Cyberbullying and trolling has had a devastating effect on young people and their families all over the country, and it completely changed my life.

3. Jeb Bush:

   It's been 20 years now since NAFTA was put into effect, we need to be talking to our neighbors about what the next generation of NAFTA will look like.

4. Barbara Parker:

   Alison would be really mad at me if I didn't take this on, and I promise you, these people are messing with the wrong family. We are going to effect a change.

5. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick:

   If this rule fully goes into effect, virtually no one who arrived at the southern border would ever be allowed to ask for asylum in the United States.

Images & Illustrations of effect

Popularity rank by frequency of use