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effective - 7 dictionary results

ef⋅fec⋅tive

  [i-fek-tiv]
Use effective in a Sentence
–adjective
1. adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result: effective teaching methods; effective steps toward peace.
2. actually in operation or in force; functioning: The law becomes effective at midnight.
3. producing a deep or vivid impression; striking: an effective photograph.
4. prepared and available for service, esp. military service.
–noun
5. a member of the armed forces fit for duty or active service.
6. the effective total of a military force.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME < L effectīvus practical, equiv. to effect(us), ptp. of efficere (see effect ) + -īvus -ive

Related forms:
ef⋅fec⋅tive⋅ly, adverb
ef⋅fec⋅tive⋅ness, ef⋅fec⋅tiv⋅i⋅ty, noun

Synonyms:
1. capable, competent. Effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient refer to that which is able to produce a (desired) effect. Effective is applied to that which has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective action, remedy, speech. Effectual is used esp. of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy. Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine. Efficient (applied also to persons) implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager. 2. operative. 3. telling.

Antonyms:
1. futile, useless.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To effective
ef·fec·tive   (ĭ-fěk'tĭv)   
adj.  
    1. Having an intended or expected effect.
    2. Producing a strong impression or response; striking: gave an effective performance as Othello.
  2. Operative; in effect: The law is effective immediately.
  3. Existing in fact; actual: a decline in the effective demand.
  4. Prepared for use or action, especially in warfare.
n.  A soldier or a piece of military equipment that is ready for combat: "The 'company' was no more than two platoons of effectives" (Tom Clancy).
ef·fec'tive·ness, ef'fec·tiv'i·ty n.
Synonyms: These adjectives mean producing or capable of producing a desired effect: an effective reprimand; an effectual complaint; an efficacious remedy; the efficient cause of the revolution.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Effective

Ef*fect"ive\, a. [L. effectivus: cf. F. effectif.] 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.

They are not effective of anything, nor leave no work behind them. --Bacon.

Whosoever is an effective, real cause of doing his heighbor wrong, is criminal. --Jer. Taylor.

Syn: Efficient; forcible; active; powerful; energetic; competent. See Effectual.

Effective

Ef*fect"ive\, n. 1. That which produces a given effect; a cause. --Jer. Taylor.

2. One who is capable of active service.

He assembled his army -- 20,000 effectives -- at Corinth. --W. P. Johnston.

3. [F. effectif real, effective, real amount.] (Com.) Specie or coin, as distinguished from paper currency; -- a term used in many parts of Europe. --Simmonds.

Effective

Ef*fect"ive\, n. The serviceable soldiers in a country; an army or any military body, collectively; as, France's effective.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : effective
Spanish: eficaz,
German: wirkungsvoll,
Japanese: 効果的な
More Translations »

Main Entry: ef·fec·tive
Function: adjective
1 : producing a desired effect effective revocation of the contract>
2 : capable of bringing about an effect <effective assistance of counsel> —see also INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
3 : being in effect
4 of a rate of interest : equal to the rate of simple interest that yields the same amount when the rate is paid once at the end of the interest period as a quoted rate of interest does when calculated at compound interest over the same period —compare NOMINAL —ef·fec·tive·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Main Entry: ef·fec·tive
Pronunciation: i-'fek-tiv
Function: adjective
: producing a decided, decisive, claimed, or desired effect effective coital position —Norman Mailer> effective by an evaluating panel> —ef·fec·tive·ly adverb —ef·fec·tive·ness noun
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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