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

These were very young actors who were, all of a sudden, series regulars in a big show with a lot of dialogue and [sometimes] a lot of special effects. — Whitney Friedlander, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

There are a lot of special effects but can Season 2 premiere next summer or next fall? — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026

That juxtaposition starts with the Santos family and their team, who create the attractions, costumes, lighting, and special effects. — Miami Herald, 8 Sep. 2026

But, though the special effects are killer, what makes the show click is its suspenseful melancholy, as quiet scenes build to jolts so intense that the whole audience screamed. — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 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