effect

 
Pronunciation: /ɪˈfɛkt/

noun

  • 1a change which is a result or consequence of an action or other cause: the lethal effects of hard drugs [mass noun]: politicians have some effect on the lives of ordinary people
  • [mass noun] the state of being or becoming operative.
  • [mass noun] the extent to which something succeeds or is operative: wind power can be used to great effect
  • [with modifier] Physics a physical phenomenon, typically named after its discoverer: the Renner effect
  • an impression produced in the mind of a person: gentle music can have a soothing effect
  • 2 (effects) the lighting, sound, or scenery used in a play, film, or broadcast: the production relied too much on spectacular effects
  • 3 (effects) personal belongings: the insurance covers personal effects

verb

[with object]
  • cause (something) to happen; bring about: the prime minister effected many policy changes

Phrases

come into effect

come into force; start to apply: similar legislation came into effect in Wales on the same date the Kyoto Protocol officially came into effect last week

for effect

in order to impress people: I suspect he’s controversial for effect

in effect

in force: a moratorium in effect since 1985 has been lifted
in practice, even if not formally acknowledged: the minister’s powers allow him, in effect, to ban programmes

put (or bring or carry) something into effect

cause something to apply or become operative: they succeeded in putting their strategies into effect

take effect

come into force; start to apply: the ban is to take effect in six months

to the effect that

used to refer to the general meaning of something written or spoken: some comments to the effect that my essay was a little light on analysis

to that effect

having that result, purpose, or meaning: she thought it a foolish rule and put a notice to that effect in a newspaper

with effect from

British starting from (a specified date): he resigned with effect from 1 June the company said yesterday it would lay off all staff with immediate effect

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French, or from Latin effectus, from efficere 'accomplish', from ex- 'out, thoroughly' + facere 'do, make'. effect (sense 3 of the noun), 'personal belongings', arose from the obsolete sense 'something acquired on completion of an action'

For an explanation of the difference between effect and affect, see affect1 (usage).