What does "effect" mean?
The result or outcome of a cause.
Usage Contextacademicbusiness
Note: Often confused with "affect".
Effect
/ɪˈfɛkt/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The result or outcome of a cause.
- Grammar: effect is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: consequence, outcome, result, abide by.
- Useful contrasts: driving action, primary cause, why.
- Usage evidence: Smoking has an ill effect upon health.
How to use "effect"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "effect" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "effect" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "effect" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "effect" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "effect" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "consequence" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "effect", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The result or outcome of a cause. countable, uncountable
"The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape."
- 2 an outward appearance wordnet
- 3 Impression left on the mind; sensation produced. countable, uncountable
"patchwork […] introduced for oratorical effect"
- 4 (of a law) having legal validity wordnet
- 5 Execution; performance; realization; operation. countable, uncountable
"That no compunctious visitings of nature / Shake my fell purpose, nor keep peace between / The effect and it."
Show 13 more definitions
- 6 an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived) wordnet
- 7 Execution; performance; realization; operation.; The state of being binding and enforceable, as in a rule, policy, or law. uncountable
"The new law will come into effect on the first day of next year."
- 8 the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work wordnet
- 9 An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect") countable, uncountable
"The effect of flying was most convincing."
- 10 a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon wordnet
- 11 An alteration, or device for producing an alteration, in sound after it has been produced by an instrument. countable, uncountable
"I use an echo effect here to make the sound more mysterious."
- 12 a symptom caused by an illness or a drug wordnet
- 13 A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer. countable, uncountable
"Doppler effect"
- 14 An influence or causal association between two variables. countable, uncountable
"effect size"
- 15 Belongings, usually as personal effects. countable, plural-normally, uncountable
"The tenant shall pay for the repair of, or replace all such items of the fixtures, fittings, furniture and effects as shall be broken, lost, damaged or destroyed during that time."
- 16 Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; with to. countable, uncountable
"They spake to her to that effect."
- 17 Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"no other in effect than what it seems"
- 18 Manifestation; expression; sign. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"All the large effects / That troop with majesty."
Verb
- 1 To make or bring about; to implement. transitive
"The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders."
- 2 produce wordnet
- 3 Misspelling of affect. alt-of, misspelling
- 4 act so as to bring into existence wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Smoking has an ill effect upon health."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "effect"?
Common synonyms include: consequence, outcome, result, abide by, academic consequence, accomplish.
How do you use "effect" in a sentence?
Smoking has an ill effect upon health.
How do you pronounce "effect"?
Pronounced /ɪˈfɛkt/.
Etymology
Of the noun: from Middle English effect, from Old French effect (modern French effet), from Latin effectus (“an effect, tendency, purpose”), from efficiō (“accomplish, complete, effect”); see effect as a verb. Displaced Old English fremming, fremednes from fremman. Of the verb: from Middle English effecten, partly from Medieval Latin effectuō, from Latin effectus, perfect passive participle of efficiō (“accomplish, complete, do, effect”), from ex (“out”) + faciō (“do, make”) (see fact and compare affect, infect) and partly from the noun effect.