effect
1 of 2noun
ef·fect i-ˈfekt 
e-,
ē-,
ə-
plural effects
1
: something that inevitably follows an antecedent (such as a cause or agent)
2
a
: a distinctive impression
the color gives the effect of being warm
b
: the creation of a desired impression
her tears were purely for effect
c(1)
: something designed to produce a distinctive or desired impression —usually used in plural
(2)
effects plural : special effects
3
: the quality or state of being operative : operation
the law goes into effect next week
see also take effect 4
: power to bring about a result : influence
the content itself of television … is therefore less important than its effect 
Current Biography
see also take effect Current Biography5
effects plural : movable property : goods
personal effects
6
: an outward sign : appearance
7
: accomplishment, fulfillment
8
a
: purport, intent
b
: basic meaning : essence
effect
2 of 2verb
effected; effecting; effects
transitive verb
1
: to cause to come into being
2
a
: to bring about often by surmounting obstacles : accomplish
effect a settlement of a dispute
b
: to put into operation
the duty of the legislature to effect the will of the citizens
Phrases
in effect : in substance : virtually
the … committee agreed to what was in effect a reduction in the hourly wage Current Biography
Current Biography : with the meaning
issued a statement to the effect that he would resign
Synonyms
Noun
- aftereffect
- aftermath
- backwash
- child
- conclusion
- consequence
- corollary
- development
- fate
- fruit
- issue
- outcome
- outgrowth
- precipitate
- product
- result
- resultant
- sequel
- sequence
- upshot
Verb
- beget
- breed
- bring
- bring about
- bring on
- catalyze
- cause
- create
- do
- draw on
- effectuate
- engender
- generate
- induce
- invoke
- make
- occasion
- produce
- prompt
- result (in)
- spawn
- translate (into)
- work
- yield
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Noun The nation's most solvent individuals—private-equity barons—have not been immune from the ill effects of the credit crunch. Daniel Gross, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2008 In the Spanish conquest of the Incas, guns played only a minor role. … They did produce a big psychological effect on those occasions when they managed to fire. Jared M. Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997 Economic effects of such high speed change are also unpredictable and somewhat chilling … Genevieve Stuttaford, Publisher's Weekly, 29 July 1996 Unlike the venom of coral snakes, fer-de-lance venom has no direct effect on the nervous system but digests muscle, destroys blood cells and causes hemorrhaging and massive edema (swelling). Robert K. Colwell, Natural History, April 1985 He now needs more of the drug to achieve the same effect. The experience has had a bad effect on him. Computers have had a profound effect on our lives. The effects of the drug soon wore off. This treatment causes fewer ill effects. The change in policy had little effect on most people. He was able to stop taking the drug without ill effect. The total effect of the painting was one of gloom. The color gives the effect of being warm. He achieves amazing effects with wood. Verb As the whole progress of mathematics from its ancient simplicities to what we call its "higher" modern developments has been effected by assuming impossibilities and inconceivabilities, your line of argument does not seem to me conclusive. Bernard Shaw circa 4 Nov. 1932, in Collected Letters: 1926–1950, 1988 When, at last, rescue is at hand, Jewitt has no hesitation in lying to his old friend and master, Maquinna, in order to effect his escape, although he does persuade the captain of the brig Lydia not to kill the chief. Carolyn Kizer, New York Times Book Review, 21 Feb. 1988 I had just written the Gossets that your address was Drujon Lane, so I would be obliged if you would drop them a card and tell them your release has been effected. Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979 Hitherto, while gathering up the discourse of Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple, I had not, at the same time, neglected precautions to secure my personal safety; which I thought would be effected, if I could only elude observation. Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847 They are trying to effect a settlement of the dispute. The duty of the legislature is to effect the will of the people. See More
Daniel Gross, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2008 In the Spanish conquest of the Incas, guns played only a minor role. … They did produce a big psychological effect on those occasions when they managed to fire. Jared M. Diamond, Guns, Germs, and Steel, 1997 Economic effects of such high speed change are also unpredictable and somewhat chilling … Genevieve Stuttaford, Publisher's Weekly, 29 July 1996 Unlike the venom of coral snakes, fer-de-lance venom has no direct effect on the nervous system but digests muscle, destroys blood cells and causes hemorrhaging and massive edema (swelling). Robert K. Colwell, Natural History, April 1985 He now needs more of the drug to achieve the same effect. The experience has had a bad effect on him. Computers have had a profound effect on our lives. The effects of the drug soon wore off. This treatment causes fewer ill effects. The change in policy had little effect on most people. He was able to stop taking the drug without ill effect. The total effect of the painting was one of gloom. The color gives the effect of being warm. He achieves amazing effects with wood. Verb As the whole progress of mathematics from its ancient simplicities to what we call its "higher" modern developments has been effected by assuming impossibilities and inconceivabilities, your line of argument does not seem to me conclusive. Bernard Shaw circa 4 Nov. 1932, in Collected Letters: 1926–1950, 1988 When, at last, rescue is at hand, Jewitt has no hesitation in lying to his old friend and master, Maquinna, in order to effect his escape, although he does persuade the captain of the brig Lydia not to kill the chief. Carolyn Kizer, New York Times Book Review, 21 Feb. 1988 I had just written the Gossets that your address was Drujon Lane, so I would be obliged if you would drop them a card and tell them your release has been effected. Flannery O'Connor, The Habit of Being, 1979 Hitherto, while gathering up the discourse of Mr. Brocklehurst and Miss Temple, I had not, at the same time, neglected precautions to secure my personal safety; which I thought would be effected, if I could only elude observation. Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre, 1847 They are trying to effect a settlement of the dispute. The duty of the legislature is to effect the will of the people. See More Recent Examples on the Web Jared Malsin, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory that is in effect until 1 p.m. Wednesday in central, northeastern and southeastern Oregon. oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2022 Flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect throughout the state Sunday night, and many have continued into Monday morning. Camila Pedrosa, The Arizona Republic, 13 Sep. 2022 Only two main rules remain in effect: People who test positive for an infection must isolate for seven days, and masks must be worn in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2022 Similar laws are in effect in other states, but Simpson’s proposal – if enacted – would impose some of the harshest in the nation. al, 12 Sep. 2022 Flood warnings were in effect for the Fox River in Waukesha, the Root River in Franklin and Oak Creek in South Milwaukee. Joe Taschler, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 In effect, if not officially, Griner was a hostage—a term that the government, and many outside of it, has avoided using, partly for policy and procedural reasons. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 The boil order will be in effect until the town has received three negative daily tests for the bacteria, the statement said. Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2022 See More
Noun
The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow had brokered a cease-fire in effect from Tuesday morning. Jared Malsin, WSJ, 13 Sep. 2022 The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an air quality advisory that is in effect until 1 p.m. Wednesday in central, northeastern and southeastern Oregon. oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2022 Flash flood warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings were in effect throughout the state Sunday night, and many have continued into Monday morning. Camila Pedrosa, The Arizona Republic, 13 Sep. 2022 Only two main rules remain in effect: People who test positive for an infection must isolate for seven days, and masks must be worn in hospitals, nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. Karen Kaplan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2022 Similar laws are in effect in other states, but Simpson’s proposal – if enacted – would impose some of the harshest in the nation. al, 12 Sep. 2022 Flood warnings were in effect for the Fox River in Waukesha, the Root River in Franklin and Oak Creek in South Milwaukee. Joe Taschler, Journal Sentinel, 12 Sep. 2022 In effect, if not officially, Griner was a hostage—a term that the government, and many outside of it, has avoided using, partly for policy and procedural reasons. Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2022 The boil order will be in effect until the town has received three negative daily tests for the bacteria, the statement said. Adam Sennott, BostonGlobe.com, 11 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English effect, effete "achievement, result, capacity to produce a result, gist, purpose," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French effette, effect, borrowed from Latin effectus "carrying out (of a purpose or task), result, mode of operation," from effec-, variant stem of efficere "to make, construct, bring about, produce, carry out" (from ef-, assimilated form of ex- ex- entry 1 + facere "to do, make, bring about") + -tus, suffix of action nouns — more at fact
Verb
in part verbal derivative of effect entry 1, in part borrowed from Latin effectus, past participle of efficere "to make, bring about" — more at effect entry 1
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8a
Verb
1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing effect
Kids Definition
effect 1 of 2
noun
ef·fect i-ˈfekt
1
: an event, condition, or state of affairs that is produced by a cause : influence Computers have had an important effect on the way people work.
2
: the act of making a certain impression
The tears were only for effect.
3
: execution sense 2, operation
The law goes into effect today.
4
effects plural : personal property or possessions
household effects
5
: something created in film, television, or radio to imitate something real
sound effects
effect
2 of 2verb
effected; effecting
: to make happen : bring about
effect a change
Medical Definition
effect
noun
ef·fect i-ˈfekt
: something that is produced by an agent or cause
obtained the same effect with a smaller dose
Legal Definition
effect 1 of 2
noun
ef·fect
1
: something that is produced by an agent or cause
2
plural : personal property sense 1 at property : goods
the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures U.S. Constitution amend. IV
U.S. Constitution amend. IV3
: the quality or state of being operative
when the new law goes into effect
effect
2 of 2transitive verb
1
: to cause to come into being
2
: to bring about often by surmounting obstacles
effect a settlement of the dispute
3
: to put into operation
the duty of the legislature to effect the will of the citizens
effect 1 of 2
noun
1
as in outcome
a condition or occurrence traceable to a cause better health is always one of the effects of improved hygiene Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- outcome
- result
- consequence
- resultant
- product
- implication
- issue
- aftermath
- development
- aftereffect
- upshot
- precipitate
- fate
- outgrowth
- fruit
- matter of course
- backwash
- ramification
- sequence
- conclusion
- corollary
- sequel
- child
- repercussion
- fallout
- denouement
- side effect
- ripple
- echo
- blowback
- afterglow
- aftershock
- by-product
- dénouement
- afterclap
- side reaction
- offshoot
- spin-off
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- cause
- reason
- consideration
- factor
- basis
- occasion
- base
- causation
- antecedent
- ground
- determinant
- foundation
- incentive
- stimulus
- source
- origin
- spring
- mother
- inspiration
- impetus
- root
- groundwork
- instigation
2
as in impact
the power to bring about a result on another religion has a profound effect on our lives Synonyms & Similar Words
- impact
- influence
- consequence
- repercussion
- sway
- importance
- significance
- prestige
- mark
- clout
- weight
- domination
- mastery
- dominion
- authority
- pull
- command
- supremacy
- sovereignty
- sovranty
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- weakness
- impotence
- helplessness
- powerlessness
- impotency
3
as in possession
effects plural transportable items that one owns the family packed up its household effects and moved to Florida Synonyms & Similar Words
- possession
- things
- belongings
- goods
- stuff
- personal effects
- holdings
- personalty
- personal property
- furnishings
- paraphernalia
- gear
- plunder
- chattels
- property
- movables
- moveables
- duds
- collateral
- fixtures
- appointments
- treasures
- valuables
- tangibles
- estate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- real estate
- immovables
effect
2 of 2verb
as in to cause
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind) classroom presentations designed to effect greater interest in careers in scientific fields Synonyms & Similar Words
- cause
- create
- bring
- prompt
- generate
- do
- work
- spawn
- produce
- induce
- yield
- effectuate
- invoke
- occasion
- catalyze
- make
- draw on
- bring about
- beget
- bring forth
- engender
- bring on
- breed
- promote
- found
- introduce
- translate (into)
- encourage
- further
- result (in)
- institute
- determine
- inaugurate
- pioneer
- launch
- give rise to
- initiate
- establish
- father
- begin
- contribute (to)
- decide
- develop
- start
- render
- foster
- conduce (to)
- enact
- set up
- forward
- advance
- innovate
- nurture
- cultivate
- set
- turn out
- nourish
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- limit
- impede
- restrict
- control
- suppress
- dampen
- subdue
- curb
- inhibit
- retard
- squelch
- restrain
- crush
- smother
- stifle
- put down
- quash
- arrest
- quell
- check
- squash
- repress
- kill
- destroy
- can
- abolish
- crack down (on)
- rein (in)
- still
- snuff (out)
- clamp down (on)
- extinguish
- liquidate
- demolish
- quench
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of effect are accomplish, achieve, discharge, execute, fulfill, and perform. While all these words mean "to carry out or into effect," effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.
effected sweeping reforms
The words accomplish and effect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.
accomplished everything they set out to do
Achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.
achieve greatness
While the synonyms discharge and effect are close in meaning, discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.
discharged his duties
Although the words execute and effect have much in common, execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.
executed the hit-and-run
While in some cases nearly identical to effect, fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.
fulfilled their ambitions
The meanings of perform and effect largely overlap; however, perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.
performed gymnastics