effect
something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence: Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin.
the state of being operative or functional; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment: to bring a plan into effect.
a mental or emotional impression produced, as by a painting or a speech.
meaning or sense; purpose or intention: She disapproved of the proposal and wrote to that effect.
the making of a desired impression: We had the feeling that the big, expensive car was only for effect.
an illusory phenomenon: a three-dimensional effect.
a real phenomenon (usually named for its discoverer): the Doppler effect.
Usually effects . a special effect, practical effect, or visual effect in a movie, TV show, or other video. Abbreviation: FX
to produce as an effect; bring about; make happen; accomplish: The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.
Idioms about effect
in effect,
take effect,
to go into operation; begin to function.
to produce a result: The prescribed medicine failed to take effect.
Origin of effect
1synonym study For effect
confusables note For effect
Other words for effect
Other words from effect
- ef·fect·i·ble, adjective
- pre·ef·fect, noun, verb (used with object)
- un·ef·fect·ed, adjective
- un·ef·fect·i·ble, adjective
- well-ef·fect·ed, adjective
Words that may be confused with effect
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for effect
/ (ɪˈfɛkt) /
something that is produced by a cause or agent; result
power or ability to influence or produce a result; efficacy: with no effect
the condition of being operative (esp in the phrases in or into effect): the law comes into effect at midnight
take effect to become operative or begin to produce results
basic meaning or purpose (esp in the phrase to that effect)
an impression, usually one that is artificial or contrived (esp in the phrase for effect)
a scientific phenomenon: the Doppler effect
in effect
in fact; actually
for all practical purposes
the overall impression or result: the effect of a painting
(tr) to cause to occur; bring about; accomplish
Origin of effect
1- See also effects
Derived forms of effect
- effecter, noun
- effectible, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with effect
see in effect; into effect; take effect; to that effect.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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