adjective
- Producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect.
- usage: "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"
- synonyms: effectual, efficacious
- Able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively.
- usage: "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"
- synonyms: efficient
- Works well as a means or remedy.
- usage: "an effective reprimand"; "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat"
- Exerting force or influence.
- usage: "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)"
- Existing in fact; not theoretical; real.
- usage: "a decline in the effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done"
- Ready for service.
- usage: "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers"
WordNet 3.0 © 2006 by Princeton University
| APA | WordNet. (2010). effective. Retrieved September 20, 2026, from http://smartdefine.org/effective/definitions/1173107 |
| Chicago | WordNet. 2010. "effective" http://smartdefine.org/effective/definitions/1173107 (accessed September 20, 2026). |
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| MLA | WordNet. "effective" 23 October 2010. Web. 20 September 2026. <http://smartdefine.org/effective/definitions/1173107> |