What does effective mean?

Definitions for effective
ɪˈfɛk tɪvef·fec·tive

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word effective.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. effective, effectual, efficaciousadjective

    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"

  2. effective, efficientadjective

    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"

  3. effectiveadjective

    works well as a means or remedy

    "an effective reprimand"; "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat"

  4. effective, good, in effect(p), in force(p)adjective

    exerting force or influence

    "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)"

  5. effectiveadjective

    existing in fact; not theoretical; real

    "a decline in the effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done"

  6. effectiveadjective

    ready for service

    "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers"

Wiktionary

  1. effectiveadjective

    Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.

    The pill is an effective method of birth control.

  2. effectiveadjective

    Producing a decided or decisive effect.

    The president delivered an effective speech!

  3. effectiveadjective

    Efficient, serviceable, or operative, available for useful work.

  4. effectiveadjective

    Actually in effect.

    The curfew is effective at midnight.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Effectiveadjective

    Etymology: from effect.

    They are not effective of any thing, nor leave no work behind them. Francis Bacon.

    If any mystery, rite, or sacrament be effective of any spiritual blessings, then this much more, as having the prerogative and principality above every thing else. Taylor.

    There is nothing in words and stiles but suitableness, that makes them acceptable and effective. Joseph Glanvill, Sceps. Preface.

    Nor do they speak properly who say that time consumeth all things; for time is not effective, nor are bodies destroyed by it. Thomas Browne, Vulgar Errours, b. iv. c. 12.

    Whosoever is an effective real cause of doing his neighbour wrong is criminal, by what instrument soever he does it. Taylor.

Wikipedia

  1. effective

    Effectiveness is the capability of producing a desired result or the ability to produce desired output. When something is deemed effective, it means it has an intended or expected outcome, or produces a deep, vivid impression.

ChatGPT

  1. effective

    Effective refers to successfully producing a desired or intended result, functioning efficiently or adequately, or having an intended or expected outcome. It emphasizes the capability of producing a strong impression or a decisive effect. It is often used to describe something as fully operative or exerting influence or producing a result.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Effectiveadjective

    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

  2. Effectivenoun

    that which produces a given effect; a cause

  3. Effectivenoun

    one who is capable of active service

  4. Effectivenoun

    specie or coin, as distinguished from paper currency; -- a term used in many parts of Europe

  5. Etymology: [F. effectif real, effective, real amount.]

Dictionary of Nautical Terms

  1. effective

    Efficient, fit for service; it also means the being present and at duty.

Military Dictionary and Gazetteer

  1. effective

    Fit for service; as, an army of 30,000 effective (fighting) men.

Editors Contribution

  1. effective

    Able to create the effect, function, goal, intention, plan, purpose or result at superluminal speed in order of priority for the collective plan for the evolution of humanity.

    Her work processes were easy, simple and effective and this gave her more time to achieve focused results.


    Submitted by MaryC on January 25, 2020  

Suggested Resources

  1. Effective

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

Matched Categories

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'effective' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #985

  2. Written Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'effective' in Written Corpus Frequency: #1864

  3. Adjectives Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'effective' in Adjectives Frequency: #119

How to pronounce effective?

How to say effective in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of effective in Chaldean Numerology is: 9

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of effective in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of effective in a Sentence

  1. Stephen Covey:

    Effective leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline, carrying it out.

  2. David Oyelowo:

    I really hope and pray that our film in some way shows what was effective in the past and how it can be effective going forward.

  3. Sheldon Cohen:

    This suggests that being hugged by a trusted person may act as an effective means of conveying support and that increasing the frequency of hugs might be an effective means of reducing the deleterious effects of stress, the apparent protective effect of hugs may be attributable to the physical contact itself or to hugging being a behavioral indicator of support and intimacy.

  4. Loretta Mester:

    If effective monetary policy means taking away the punch bowl just as the party gets going, then effective financial stability policy might mean taking away the punch bowl before the guests have even arrived because the risks to financial stability build up over time and action likely needs to be taken earlier in order to be effective.

  5. Mark Twain:

    The human race has one really effective weapon, and that is laughter.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

effective#1#1068#10000

Translations for effective

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"effective." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2023. Web. 10 Dec. 2023. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/effective>.

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