effect

American  

[ih-fekt] / ɪˈfɛkt /

noun

1. something that is produced by an agency or cause; result; consequence.

   Exposure to the sun had the effect of toughening his skin.

   Synonyms:

   issue, outcome

2. power to produce results; efficacy; force; influence.

   His protest had no effect.

3. the state of being operative or functional; operation or execution; accomplishment or fulfillment.

   to bring a plan into effect.

4. a mental or emotional impression produced, as by a painting or a speech.

5. meaning or sense; purpose or intention.

   She disapproved of the proposal and wrote to that effect.

6. the making of a desired impression.

   We had the feeling that the big, expensive car was only for effect.

7. an illusory phenomenon.

   a three-dimensional effect.

8. a real phenomenon (usually named for its discoverer).

   the Doppler effect.

9. Usually effects a special effect, practical effect, or visual effect in a movie, TV show, or other video. FX

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verb (used with object)

1. to produce as an effect; bring about; make happen; accomplish.

   The new machines finally effected the transition to computerized accounting last spring.

   Synonyms:

   consummate, perform, fulfill, realize, achieve

idioms

1. take effect,

   1. to go into operation; begin to function.

   2. to produce a result.

      The prescribed medicine failed to take effect.

2. in effect,

   1. for practical purposes; virtually.

      His silence was in effect a confirmation of the rumor.

   2. essentially; basically.

   3. operating or functioning; in force.

      The plan is now in effect.

effect British  

/ ɪˈfɛkt /

noun

1. something that is produced by a cause or agent; result

2. power or ability to influence or produce a result; efficacy

   with no effect

3. the condition of being operative (esp in the phrases in or into effect )

   the law comes into effect at midnight

4. to become operative or begin to produce results

5. basic meaning or purpose (esp in the phrase to that effect )

6. an impression, usually one that is artificial or contrived (esp in the phrase for effect )

7. a scientific phenomenon

   the Doppler effect

8. 1. in fact; actually

   2. for all practical purposes

9. the overall impression or result

   the effect of a painting

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verb

1. (tr) to cause to occur; bring about; accomplish

effect More Idioms  

1. see in effect; into effect; take effect; to that effect.

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Usage

What's the difference between effect and affect? Effect is most commonly used as a noun meaning a result or consequence. Affect is most commonly used as a verb meaning to act on or produce a change in someone or something. Remembering the difference between the words can be especially hard because these senses of the words have just about the same pronunciation. Complicating things further is the fact that effect can also be used as a verb (meaning to make happen, as in We can only effect change by taking action) and affect can also be used as a noun (referring to a state of emotion, as in He had a sad affect). However, these senses of the words are much less commonly used. You can remember that affect is most commonly used as a verb because it begins with a, for action. You can also remember how effect and affect are most commonly used by using the acronym RAVEN:R = RememberA = Affect isV = VerbE = Effect is aN = NounHere’s an example of effect and affect used correctly in the same sentence. Example: It’s unclear what immediate effects the new law will have or how it will affect future generations. Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between effect and affect.

Commonly Confused

See affect ¹.

Related Words

Effect, consequence(s), result refer to something produced by an action or a cause. An effect is that which is produced, usually more or less immediately and directly: The effect of morphine is to produce sleep. A consequence, something that follows naturally or logically, as in a train of events or sequence of time, is less intimately connected with its cause than is an effect: Punishment is the consequence of disobedience. A result may be near or remote, and often is the sum of effects or consequences as making an end or final outcome: The English language is the result of the fusion of many different elements.

Other Word Forms

• effecter noun
• effectible adjective
• preeffect noun
• uneffected adjective
• uneffectible adjective
• well-effected adjective

Etymology

Origin of effect

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Latin effectus “the carrying out (of a task, etc.),” hence, “accomplishment, outcome,” equivalent to effec- (variant stem of efficere “to make, carry out”; ef- combining form meaning “out, out from, beyond” + -ficere combining form of the verb facere “do, make”) + -tus suffix of verbal action; ef-, do ¹

Explanation

Effect is the result of an action, as in those “cause and effect” papers you might write in English class. Your topic could be how your late-night tuba playing (cause) has driven your roommate insane (effect). Another noun use of effect describes an appearance or impression that’s created on purpose, such as the dramatic effect of the bright red walls in your kitchen, or sound effects from your favorite movie. Effect appears less often as a verb, but when it does, it means “produce.” Usually, it’s a noun. It can even refer to your belongings, like when you get kicked out and your former roomie begs you to get all of your personal effects.

Example Sentences

The technique was most common among high-fee funds or those sold by brokers, and it had a positive effect on inflows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

The study is cross-sectional, which means it cannot determine cause and effect and may be influenced by confounding factors or reverse causation.

From Science Daily • Apr. 13, 2026

It has had a devastating effect on Helen, from Penrhyn-coch near Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, who went from enjoying sea swims and daily dog walks to "struggling to make new memories", according to daughter Jane Richards.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

In a sign that the truce had some effect, the Ukrainian army said it had recorded no long-range Shahed drone attacks, guided aerial bombings or missile strikes.

From Barron's • Apr. 12, 2026

The warm water would have a good effect on me.

From "Fourth Grade Rats" by Jerry Spinelli

Related Words

• aftermath
• consequence
• development
• event
• fallout
• issue
• outcome
• ramification
• reaction
• repercussion
• response
• side effect