Definitions for effective
ɪˈfɛk tɪvef·fec·tive

Princeton's WordNet(3.84 / 13 votes)Rate this definition:

1. 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"

2. 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"

3. effective(adj)

   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)(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)"

5. 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"

6. effective(adj)

   ready for service

   "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers"

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. effective(Adjective)

   Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.

   The pill is an effective method of birth control.

2. effective(Adjective)

   Producing a decided or decisive effect.

   The president delivered an effective speech!

3. effective(Adjective)

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

4. effective(Adjective)

   Actually in effect.

   The curfew is effective at midnight.

Webster Dictionary(4.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. 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

2. Effective(noun)

   that which produces a given effect; a cause

3. Effective(noun)

   one who is capable of active service

4. Effective(noun)

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

Origin: [F. effectif real, effective, real amount.]

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

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. President Obama:

   The NRA is very effective.

2. Michael Farzan:

   It is absolutely 100% effective.

3. Gonzalo Vazquez-Prokopec:

   We know fogging is not effective.

4. Peter Neumann:

   They've been incredibly effective.

5. Shafi Ahmed:

   It is actually quite cost effective.

Images & Illustrations of effective

Popularity rank by frequency of use