effectively
- 1In effect; for all practical purposes, even if not officially or formally the case.
The new fees effectively double the cost of the permit.
With the bridge washed out, the town was effectively cut off from the highway.
Similaressentially, virtually, practically, basically
Oppositenominally, theoretically
Note
Here the adverb judges a whole statement instead of describing how something is done: on paper the answer is yes, but effectively it is no. It pairs naturally with contrasts like "on paper" or "in theory," and often follows "is," as in Henry Petroski's doorknob that is effectively a continuum of levers. Before an action verb it can blur into the "skillfully" meaning: "effectively silenced" may mean silenced well, or simply silenced in result.
- 2In an efficient or effective manner; in a way that achieves results or has a powerful effect.
The coach communicated the new strategy effectively, and the team adjusted within a week.
The ad campaign reached young voters far more effectively than television spots ever did.
Similarefficiently, successfully, well, competently, productively
Oppositeineffectively, poorly, inefficiently, badly
Practice
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Origin
Formed from the adjective "effective" combined with the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."