special effects

plural noun

: visual or sound effects introduced into a movie, video recording, or taped television production

Examples of special effects in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cinemas in South Florida have added special effects to movies with special effects. — Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026

Though Romero wasn’t available to access his archival materials from previous films for reference, special effects makeup designer Greg Nicotero provided additional visual memory from the previous films. — Vadim Rizov, IndieWire, 12 Aug. 2026

Reggie Bannister’s wife, Gigi Bannister, worked on makeup and special effects for the fourth and fifth Phantasm films. — Tim Lammers, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Any material that cannot be shot in front of a live studio audience — because of limitations with sets, timing or special effects — is shot the day before the live taping. — Leila Jordan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for special effects

• aftereffects
• interconnects
• affects
• aspects
• bisects
• collects
• connects
• corrects
• deflects
• detects
• directs
• dissects