effect

Pronunciation: /ɪˈfɛkt/

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Definition of effect

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).

effect in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of effect in the US English dictionary

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Other

effect

noun

verb

Phrases

come into effect

for effect

in effect

put (or bring or carry) something into effect

take effect

to the effect that

to that effect

with effect from

Origin:

effect in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

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