effect
Pluraleffects
Verbeffects, effecting, effected
Often confused with affect
Pluraleffects
Formseffects, effecting, effected
- 1A change that happens because of something else, or how much one thing changes another.
Like pushing a swing and watching it move: the movement is the effect.
The medicine had a strong effect, and she felt better quickly.
Loud music can have a bad effect on your hearing.
UsageSay an effect on something. The verb is affect: rain affects crops.
Similarresult, consequence, outcome, impact, influence
Oppositecause
- 2A picture or sound made with special tools or computers in films, music, or games.
Like a magician's trick: what you see isn't really happening.
The movie used a special effect to show the building exploding.
Computer effects made the dragon look alive.
UsageOften special effects in films and games.
Note
- 3The state of being in use or being the law, as when a rule starts to work.
Like a game's rules once everyone agrees to play: from then on they count.
The new speed limit is now in effect.
These rules come into effect next Monday.
UsageSay a law takes effect or comes into effect.
Note
- 4A feeling or impression that something leaves in your mind.
Like a song that stays in your head long after it ends.
The overall effect of the painting is peaceful and calm.
From far away, the tiny lights gave the effect of falling snow.
UsageDoing something for effect means doing it to impress people.
Similarimpact, impression, influence
Note
- 5To make something happen or to carry out a plan.
Like flipping a switch to turn on a light: you make the change happen.
The new manager hoped to effect real change in the office.
Voters can effect change by showing up on election day.
UsageTo effect change is to make it happen. Affect means to change or influence something.
Similarimplement, achieve, accomplish, produce, cause
Note
- 6The general meaning or intent of what someone says.
Like getting the main idea of a story without remembering every word.
He said he was tired, or words to that effect.
She nodded and mumbled something to that effect.
UsageSay or something to that effect when you give only the general idea.
Similarmeaning, sense, gist, purport, drift
Note
- 7A scientific event or result, often named after the person who discovered it.
Like a rule of nature that gets the name of the person who first noticed it.
The greenhouse effect keeps the planet warm enough for life.
Students learned about the Doppler effect in physics class.
UsageSay the Doppler effect, with a capital letter only on the name.
- 8What is really true in practice, not just how things look, as in the phrase in effect.
no other in effect than what it seems
1642, John Denham, Cooper's HillHere, in effect means in reality, in actual fact.Note
Less common meanings
- 9The things a person owns, especially personal ones like clothes, papers and small possessions.
Like everything you would pack into a bag if you moved out of your room.
The hospital returned all of his effects to the family after he died.
She packed her personal effects into a small box before leaving the office.
UsageOften personal effects. It sounds official.
Similarbelongings, possessions, things, property
Note
- 10A sign or outward show of something inside.
All the large effects / That troop with majesty.
c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of King Lear”Here, effects means outward signs or shows of something.Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
The noun came through Old French from Latin effectus, 'a result or purpose', from a verb meaning 'to accomplish'. The verb grew partly from the noun.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- The noun came through Old French from Latin effectus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin effectus meant a result or purpose. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin effectus derives from a verb meaning to accomplish. en.wiktionary.org
- The English verb developed partly from the noun. en.wiktionary.org