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Definitions

effective

[ih-fek-tiv, ee-fek‐] / ɪˈfɛk tɪv, iˈfɛk‐ /




Usage

What are other ways to say effective? The adjective effective is applied to a person or a thing that has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective boss, remedy, speech. Effectual is used especially of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy. Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine. Efficient (applied also to persons) implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager. 

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For a while, I found middle-period Henry James to be fairly effective, but for a couple of decades at least, fiction has been out of the mix.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

“So there’s this illusion of control that is really effective on a lot of young people,” Fields said, “especially with a get-rich-quick kind of attitude.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 17, 2026

Thanks to UK researchers it was quickly identified that the drug was effective at reducing an immune system over-reaction in Covid patients that led to fatal lung damage.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

By incorporating 2B4 and DAP12 into the CAR design, the researchers were able to enhance the cells' activation state, making them more effective at targeting tumors.

From Science Daily • Apr. 16, 2026

When roaming bands of Sapiens foragers migrated into colder climates, they learned to make snowshoes and effective thermal clothing composed of layers of furs and skins, sewn together tightly with the help of needles.

From "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari




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