effect

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable or uncountable

   A change or result that is caused by something else.

   Grammar: Often followed by on: the effect of the drug on sleep.

   Patterns

   • the effect of something on someone
   • have an effect on something

   The new rule had an immediate effect on traffic.

   Too little sleep can have a harmful effect on your memory.

   We are still feeling the effects of the storm.

2. 2nouncountable or uncountable

   The impression that something makes on people, especially one made on purpose.

   Grammar: Often singular: she said it for effect.

   Patterns

   • for effect
   • to good effect

   He paused for effect before announcing the winner.

   The dim lighting created a calm effect in the room.

   She used humor to great effect in her speech.

3. 3nounusually plural

   A visual or sound trick used in films, theater or music to create a particular impression.

   Grammar: Usually effects: special effects, sound effects.

   Patterns

   • special effects
   • sound effects

   The movie's special effects were stunning.

   The sound effects made the radio play feel real.

   The game relies on lighting effects to build tension.

4. 4nounpluralformal

   Personal belongings or possessions.

   Grammar: Always plural in this sense: personal effects.

   Patterns

   • personal effects

   The police returned his personal effects after the investigation.

   She packed her few effects into a single bag.

   The hotel kept the guest's effects in a locked room.

5. 5verbtransitiveformal

   To make something happen, especially a change or an arrangement.

   Grammar: Takes an object, usually a noun like change: effect a change; not the same as affect.

   Patterns

   • effect change
   • effect a repair

   The new manager hoped to effect real change at the firm.

   The two sides effected a quick settlement.

   Engineers effected the repairs within a day.

Word forms

Common combinations

have an effect on

Music can have a powerful effect on mood.

side effect

Drowsiness is a common side effect of the medicine.

take effect

The new law takes effect on Monday.

in effect

The two policies are in effect the same.

cause and effect

The study looks at cause and effect in learning.

greenhouse effect

The greenhouse effect warms the planet.

Synonyms and how they differ

result

Result is a neutral word for any outcome, while effect stresses the causal link and the change produced.

consequence

Consequence often implies something serious or unwelcome that follows an action.

impact

Impact suggests a strong, noticeable effect, and is used more dramatically.

outcome

Outcome focuses on the final result of a process rather than the change itself.

Opposites

Word family

effective adjective

producing the result you want

effectively adverb

in a way that works well, or in practice

effectiveness noun

how well something produces the intended result

effectual adjective

able to produce the desired result

Commonly confused: effect or affect?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “effect”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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