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effort

EF-urt/ˈɛfɚt/UKEF-uht/ˈɛfət/

Pluralefforts

6 meanings of effort

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  1. 1
    undertakingnouncountable
    An attempt to do or achieve something.

    Their effort to clean up the park was a big success.

    It was a brave effort, even though they lost the match.

    UsageSay an effort to do something: an effort to help.

    Similarattempt, endeavor, undertaking, bid, initiative

    Note
  2. 2
    exertionnouncountable or uncountable
    The energy and hard work you put into doing something.

    Like pushing a heavy door: the harder you push, the more effort it takes.

    It took a lot of effort to finish the race.

    She put real effort into her homework every night.

    UsageSay make an effort (not incorrect: do an effort) and put effort into something.

    Similarexertion

    Note
  3. 3
    nouncountable
    Something a person has made or done, like a book, an album or a shot, looked at as a finished piece.

    Her second album is a much better effort than her first.

    His shot from far out was a good effort, but it went just wide.

    UsageUsually with a word that judges it: a good effort, a better effort.

    Similarattempt, offering, work

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 4
    verbraretransitive or intransitive
    To try hard to do, get or arrange something.

    Can you effort a comment from the mayor's office before the news?

    Our news desk is efforting a live interview with the fire chief.

    UsageMostly used in newsrooms: efforting a story. Most people say try to get.

    Similarstrive, work, labor, try, endeavor

    Oppositeslack, coast, idle

  2. 5
    nouncountable
    A force, a push or a pull, that moves an object along in the direction it is going.

    Like the push you give a shopping cart to keep it rolling along.

    On the lever diagram, the effort pushes down on the long end.

    The teacher drew an arrow to show the effort moving the box forward.

    Similarforce

    Oppositeload

    Note
  3. 6
    verbobsoletetransitive
    To make someone or something stronger.
    When old, he lived in London where, being High-minded and Poor, he was exposed to the contempt of disingenuous persons. Yet he efforted his Spirits with a Commemoration of the Days of Old.
    1684, Thomas Fuller, G. S.Here, efforted means made stronger or lifted up.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From an Old French word meaning "to force or exert," which came from Latin combining "ex" with "fortis," meaning "strong."

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts

  • Effort derives ultimately from an Old French verb meaning “to force or exert.” en.wiktionary.org
  • The Old French verb ultimately derives from Latin ex and fortis, with fortis meaning “strong.” en.wiktionary.org