side effectˈside efˌfect ●○○ noun [countable] 
a natural remedy with no harmful side effectsside effect of the side effects of the medication2an unexpected or unplanned result of a situation or event: These policy changes could have beneficial side effects for the whole economy.
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- A side effect of tuna fishing was the death of over 100,000 dolphins annually.
- Possible side effects of the treatment include nausea and diarrhea.
- Stomach ache is an additional side effect.
Longman Language Activatorthe effect that something has
a change that is caused by something that happens or by something that someone does: effect of: · the harmful effects of smoking· Gail was still recovering from the effects of her operation.effect on: · The study measured the effect of fertilizers on the size of crops.without much effect: · I tried using bleach to remove the stain, but without much effect.feel the effects of something: · I was starting to feel the effects of two nights without much sleep.
a bad effect that something can have in addition to its good effects - use this especially about harmful effects that a drug can have: · At higher doses, the most common side effects are nausea and vomiting.side effect of: · One possible side effect of the drug is loss of memory.
a big and permanent change that happens as a result of something important: impact of: · the lasting impact of improved education on the country's economic successimpact on: · The Internet's impact on the way we do business has been remarkable.· The company is trying to lessen the impact of the oil spill on marine life.
the continuing effects that something has on the way that people think or behave, or on the way that things develop: influence of: · The authorities were worried about the influence of Western films and TV programmes.influence of something on something: · The book is about the influence of feminist ideas on American society.
especially spoken use this to talk about a bad effect that something has on someone or something: · Do you ever think about what those cigarettes must be doing to your lungs?· Look what the storm has done to the flowers.
the possible effects that something is likely to have in the future: the implications for: · What do you think the implications of the new law will be for small businesses? have implications: · The new treatment will have implications for anyone suffering from an allergy.wider implications (=more important implications, especially ones that people have not yet considered): · The case is likely to have wider implications, for example those affecting press freedom.the implications of: · The implications of the committee's decision are many.
a result that happens in addition to the intended result a result that happens in addition to the result that you intended - use this especially about the unintended bad effects of medical treatment or drugs: · The drug can have side effects such as headaches and sickness.· Transplanting genes from one plant to another may have unintended side effects for the environment and the food supply.side effect of: · One of the side effects of chemotherapy is hair loss.dangerous/nasty/unpleasant etc side effects: · These pills don't normally have any unpleasant side-effects.
a result that is indirectly caused by something you do or that happens : indirect result of: · The job losses were an indirect result of lower cost imports.· The increase in greenhouse gases is the direct result of pollution, and the indirect result of a reduction in the atmosphere's ability to absorb them.
an unexpected result of an event or something you do, which happens in addition to the result you intended: by-product of: · One of the by-products of the peace treaty was the growth of trade between the two nations.· Another by-product of space exploration is a growing awareness of this planet's fragile environment.
formal something that is certain to happen in addition to the result you intend, so that you expect it but do not usually want it: corollary of: · Huge increases in unemployment were the corollary of the government's economic policy.a logical/natural/necessary etc corollary (of something): · A rapid increase in population would be a natural corollary of any such changes in the birth control program.the corollary of this is that: · The government has promised tax cuts, but the corollary of this is that there will be a reduction in public services.
an unexpected but useful result of something that you do, that happens in addition to the result that was intended: spin-off for: · One of the main spin-offs for countries that host the Olympic Games is increased business for hotels, restaurants, and theatres.have a spin-off : · Research into lasers has had important spin-offs for eye-surgery.
all the results of something you do, which affect people in ways that were not intended and which you do not always expect when you first make the decision to do it: ramifications of: · The ramifications of the decision whether to build a new airport or not are enormous.ramifications for: · The course that people choose to do at university can have ramifications for the rest of their lives.economic/legal/political etc ramifications: · Whatever the judges decide, the legal ramifications of the case will be with us for many years to come.wider ramifications (=more complicated results): · The introduction of national testing in schools had wider ramifications than people realized.
the additional and usually bad results of something that happens, which continue to affect people for a long time afterwards in a way that was not intended or expected: repercussions of: · The psychological repercussions of the accident might affect her for the rest of her life.have repercussions (on something): · The transport strike had all sorts of repercussions on other industries.important/profound/serious etc repercussions: · A scandal like this could have serious repercussions on his political career.economic/legal/political etc repercussions: · Even the possibility of a war in the Middle East has important political repercussions.
WORD SETSanabolic steroid, nounanaesthetic, nounantacid, nounantibiotic, nounantidepressant, nounantidote, nounantihistamine, nounanti-inflammatory, adjectiveantitoxin, nounaspirin, nounbalm, nounbalsam, nounbandage, nounbandage, verbBand-Aid, nounbarbiturate, nounbatch, nounBCG, nounbelladonna, nounbeta-blocker, nounbismuth, nounbooster, nouncaffeine, nouncapsule, nouncastor oil, nounchemotherapy, nounclinical, adjectivecodeine, nouncondom, nouncortisone, nouncough mixture, noundepressant, noundisinfect, verbdisinfectant, noundispensary, noundispense, verbdispensing chemist, noundiuretic, noundosage, noundose, noundose, verbdraught, noundrip, noundrug, noundrug, verbdruggist, noundrugstore, nounear drops, nounemetic, nounemollient, adjectiveEpsom salts, nouneucalyptus, nounexpectorant, nounfluoridate, verbfluoride, nounfolic acid, noungripe water, nounhallucinogen, nounhemlock, nounherbal, adjectiveherbal medicine, nounhypnotic, nounimmunize, verbinfusion, nouninhalant, nouninhaler, nouninject, verbinjection, nouninoculate, verbintravenous, adjectiveiodine, nounlaxative, nounlotion, nounlozenge, nounmagnesia, nounmedicament, nounmedicated, adjectivemedication, nounmedicinal, adjectivemedicine, nounmelatonin, nounmethadone, nounmilk of magnesia, nounmorning-after pill, nounmorphia, nounmorphine, nounnarcotic, nounnarcotic, adjectiveneedle, nounniacin, nounnicotine patch, nounobstetrician, nounointment, nounopiate, nounopium, nounoral contraceptive, nounoverdose, nounover-the-counter, adjectivepack, nounpainkiller, nounparacetamol, nounpastille, nounpatch, nounpatent medicine, nounpenicillin, nounpharmaceutical, adjectivepharmaceuticals, nounpharmacist, nounpharmacology, nounpharmacopoeia, nounpharmacy, nounplacebo, nounprescribe, verbprescription, nounpurgative, nounquinine, nounRDA, nounreaction, nounremedy, nounrubbing alcohol, nounsalve, nounsedation, nounsedative, nounsenna, nounserum, nounside effect, nounsleeping pill, nounspecific, nounsteroid, nounstimulant, nounstrychnine, nounsuppository, nounsurgical spirit, nounsyringe, nountablet, nountake, verbThalidomide, nountherapist, nountincture, nountonic, nountranquillizer, nountruth drug, nounvaccinate, verbvaccine, nounValium, nounVaseline, nounwitch-hazel, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY a natural remedy with no harmful side effects These policy changes could have beneficial side effects for the whole economy.
1an effect that a drug has on your body in addition to curing pain or illnessharmful/serious/adverse etc side effect a natural remedy with no harmful side effects These policy changes could have beneficial side effects for the whole economy. a natural remedy with no harmful side effectsside effect of the side effects of the medication2an unexpected or unplanned result of a situation or event: These policy changes could have beneficial side effects for the whole economy.