effective

¹ef·fec·tive

adj \i-ˈfek-tiv, e-, ē-, ə-\

Definition of EFFECTIVE

1

a : producing a decided, decisive, or desired effect <an effective policy> b : impressive, striking <a gold lamé fabric studded with effective…precious stones — Stanley Marcus>

2

: ready for service or action <effective manpower>

3

: actual <the need to increase effective demand for goods>

4

: being in effect : operative <the tax becomes effective next year>

5

of a rate of interest : equal to the rate of simple interest that yields the same amount when the interest 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 4

— ef·fec·tive·ness noun

— ef·fec·tiv·i·ty \ˌe-ˌfek-ˈti-və-tē, i-, ē-, ə-\ noun

Examples of EFFECTIVE

1. It's a simple but effective technique.
2. He gave an effective speech.
3. These commercials were extremely effective as marketing tools, but we now know that chocolate swimming pools and candy-coating showers play no part in the manufacture of real M&M's. Instead, the ellipsoid chocolate centers of plain M&M's are formed by machines. —David Owen, Atlantic, October 1988
4. My feeling is that by waiting for the right moment to let rip, a film is infinitely more effective, especially with characters you have come to like. —Clive Barker, in Cinefantastique, September 1987
5. But Tammy's most effective remedy for stress, both then and now, was the same as Imelda Marcos's: shopping up a storm. “It's kind of a hobby to help my nerves,” she explained … —Jean Seligman, Newsweek, 8 June 1987

Origin of EFFECTIVE

(see ¹effect)

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to EFFECTIVE

Synonyms: effectual, efficacious, efficient, fruitful, operative, potent, productive

Antonyms: fruitless, ineffective, ineffectual, inefficient, inoperative, unfruitful, unproductive, useless

Related Words: hyperefficient, ultraefficient; adequate, capable, competent; accomplished, adept, consummate, experienced, expert, masterly, practiced (also practised), proficient, skilled, skillful, versed, veteran, virtuoso; cogent, convincing, killer, sound, striking, telling, valid; active, dynamic; useful, working; applicable, feasible, functional, practicable, practical, realizable, usable (also useable), workable

Near Antonyms: counterproductive; incapable, incompetent, inexperienced, inexpert, unqualified, unseasoned, unskilled, unskillful; abortive, bootless, futile, vain; empty, hollow, idle, pointless, unavailing, unprofitable, unsuccessful; inoperative, worthless

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Synonym Discussion of EFFECTIVE

effective, effectual, efficient, efficacious mean producing or capable of producing a result. effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect <an effective rebuttal>. effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact <the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual>. efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning <an efficient small car>. efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power <a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease>.

Rhymes with EFFECTIVE

advective, affective, bijective, collective, connective, convective, corrective, defective, deflective, detective, directive, elective, ejective, infective, inflective, injective, invective, objective, perfective, perspective, projective, protective, reflective, respective, selective, subjective