You add in effect to a statement or opinion that is not precisely accurate, but which you feel is a reasonable description or summary of a particular situation.
[vagueness]
That deal would create, in effect, the world's biggest airline.
Synonyms: in fact, really, actually, essentially More Synonyms of in effect
See full dictionary entry for effect
in effect in British English
a.
in fact; actually
b.
for all practical purposes
See full dictionary entry for effect
in effect in American English
1.
in result; actually; in fact
2.
in essence; virtually
3.
in operation; in force
See full dictionary entry for effect
Examples of 'in effect' in a sentence
in effect
There are, in effect, two worlds emerging.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This in effect adds up to 21 units a week for women and 28 for men.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This weekend the board will discuss whether to sell its core internet business, in effect dismantling the world 's original internet search engine.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Borrowing more than your home is worth puts you in effect into negative equity - when the debt is more than the property's value.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
What actually happens, in effect, is that the chemical solution destroys the outer layer of the skin by a process that amounts literally to burning.
Sedgbeer, Sandra The A-Z of Beauty Treatment (1994)
Chinese translation of 'in effect'
in effect
实(實)际(際)上 (shíjìshang)
See effect
Nearby words of
in effect
in distress
in drag
in due course
in effect
in embryo
in English/French
in error
(phrase)
Definition
for all practical purposes
The deal would create, in effect, the world's biggest airline.
Synonyms
in fact
really
They didn't really enjoy themselves.
actually
He had actually felt pain several times, but he had ignored it.
essentially
His analysis is essentially correct.
virtually
After the divorce she was left virtually penniless.
effectively
The region was effectively independent.
in reality
He came across as streetwise, but in reality he was not.
in truth
In truth, we were both unhappy.
as good as
in actual fact
to all intents and purposes
To all intents and purposes he was my father.
in all but name
in actuality
for practical purposes
See effect
Additional synonyms
in the sense of actually
Definition
as an actual fact
He had actually felt pain several times, but he had ignored it.