adequate to accomplish a purpose; producing the intended or expected result: effective teaching methods; effective steps toward peace.
actually in operation or in force; functioning: The law becomes effective at midnight.
producing a deep or vivid impression; striking: an effective photograph.
prepared and available for service, especially military service.
noun
a member of the armed forces fit for duty or active service.
the effective total of a military force.
Origin of effective
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin effectīvus “practical,” equivalent to effect(us), past participle of efficere (see effect) + -īvus -ive
SYNONYMS FOR effective
1 capable, competent.
SEE SYNONYMS FOR effective ON THESAURUS.COM
ANTONYMS FOR effective
1 futile, useless.
SEE ANTONYMS FOR effective ON THESAURUS.COM
synonym study for effective
1. Effective,effectual,efficacious,efficient refer to that which is able to produce a (desired) effect. Effective is applied to that which has the power to, or which actually does, produce an effect: an effective action, remedy, speech.Effectual is used especially of that which produces the effect desired or intended, or a decisive result: An effectual bombardment silenced the enemy.Efficacious suggests the capability of achieving a certain end: an efficacious plan, medicine.Efficient (applied also to persons) implies the skillful use of energy or industry to accomplish desired results with little waste of effort: efficient methods; an efficient manager.2. operative. 3. telling.
He could deliver a quick, effective speech, or hold a proper press conference.
Obama’s Pot Policy Is Refer Madness|James Poulos|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
If the embargo were effective, the Castro brothers would have been doing Love Letters with the Duvaliers years ago.
Obama’s One Hand Clap With Castro|Doug McIntyre|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Build evidence about the practices, policies, and programs that will achieve the most effective and efficient results.
Can the U.S. Government Go Moneyball?|Peter Orszag, Jim Nussle|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
While there are a couple of antibiotics that usually work, if they are overused they, too, may cease to be effective.
Without Education, Antibiotic Resistance Will Be Our Greatest Health Crisis|Russell Saunders|December 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In order to know what innovations work, you have to have good information on how effective your practices are.
Your Local School Doesn’t Have to Suck|Michael S. Roth|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They were just returning to the shelter of the doorway when two shots rang out, but neither was effective.
The Campaign of the Jungle|Edward Stratemeyer
Rapid-fire guns of this class represent the most effective form of modern ordnance.
The Progress of Invention in the Nineteenth Century.|Edward W. Byrn
They were all effective, and though Boxer Hall tried to stem the rush, it was impossible.
A Quarter-Back's Pluck|Lester Chadwick
The vocal and instrumental combinations are undoubtedly happy and effective.
Verdi: Man and Musician|Frederick James Crowest
Her hands and arms were enfolded in the blanket, and she was unable to make anything like effective resistance.
Frank Merriwell's Pursuit|Burt L. Standish
British Dictionary definitions for effective
effective
/ (ɪˈfɛktɪv) /
adjective
productive of or capable of producing a result
in effect; operativeeffective from midnight
producing a striking impression; impressivean effective entrance
(prenominal)actual rather than theoretical; realthe effective income after deductions
(of a military force, etc) equipped and prepared for action
physics(of an alternating quantity) having a value that is the square root of the mean of the squares of the magnitude measured at each instant over a defined period of time, usually one cycleSee also root mean square
noun
a serviceman who is equipped and prepared for action