effective

adj.

1. 1. Having an intended or expected effect.
   2. Producing a strong impression or response; striking: gave an effective performance as Othello.
2. Operative; in effect: The law is effective immediately.
3. Existing in fact; actual: a decline in the effective demand.
4. Prepared for use or action, especially in warfare.

n.
A soldier or a piece of military equipment that is ready for combat: "The 'company' was no more than two platoons of effectives" (Tom Clancy).

effectiveness ef·fec'tive·ness or ef'fec·tiv'i·ty n.

SYNONYMS   effective, effectual, efficacious, efficient. These adjectives mean producing or capable of producing a desired effect: an effective reprimand; an effectual complaint; an efficacious remedy; the efficient cause of the revolution.

adjective

1. Producing or able to produce a desired effect: effectual, efficacious, efficient, productive. See thrive/fail/exist.
2. Full of or displaying force: dynamic, dynamical, forceful, forcible, hard-hitting, powerful, strong, vigorous. See strong/weak.
3. In effect: operational, operative. See be.

adj

Definition: in use at the time
Antonyms: inoperative, useless

adj

Definition: productive, persuasive
Antonyms: fruitless, impotent, incapable, ineffective, unproductive, useless, weak

---

n

The degree to which action(s) achieves the intended health result under normal or usual circumstances.

n. a soldier fit and available for service.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

The ability to produce a specific result or to exert a specific measurable influence.

• relative biological e. — an expression of the effectiveness of other types of radiation in comparison with that of gamma or x-rays.

IN BRIEF: Able to change or make something happen, bringing about the desired results. Also: Making a strong impression; impressive.

The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause. — Mark Twain, American writer.

Tutor's tip: Her affective (relating to emotions or feelings) speech was effective (producing desired results) in raising money for her organization.

Dansk (Danish)
adj. - effektiv, reel, gyldig, arbejdsdygtig
n. - kampklar soldat

Nederlands (Dutch)
effectief, doeltreffend, indrukwekkend, eigenlijk (echt), werkzaam, afdoend, probaat

Français (French)
adj. - qui porte, qui a de l'effet, décisif, valide (un billet), frappant, saisissant, qui fait/produit de l'effet, effectif (une aide, une contribution), (Écon, Fin) solvable, réel (un taux d'intérêt), en vigueur
n. - (Mil) effectifs (npl)

Deutsch (German)
adj. - effektiv, wirksam, gültig, (Rechtsw.) in Kraft, (Wirtsch.) tatsächlich
n. - ausgebildeter Soldat, Effektivbestand

Ελληνική (Greek)
adj. - αποτελεσματικός, εντυπωσιακός, ουσιαστικός, ενεργός, δραστικός, τελεσφόρος, αποδοτικός

Italiano (Italian)
efficace, effettivo, efficacemente

idioms:

• be effective    essere efficace

Português (Portuguese)
adj. - eficiente, eficaz

idioms:

• be effective    ser eficiente, entrar em vigor

Русский (Russian)
эффективный, эффектный, имеющий силу

idioms:

• be effective    быть успешным

Español (Spanish)
adj. - útil, efectivo, eficaz
n. - (en la armada) efectivos

Svenska (Swedish)
adj. - effektiv, gällande

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
有效的, 实际的, 有力的, 有生力量

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
adj. - 有效的, 實際的, 有力的
n. - 有生力量

한국어 (Korean)
adj. - 효력이 있는, 효과적인, 유력한, 실시 중에 있는
n. - 실제 병력

日本語 (Japanese)
adj. - 効力のある, 有力な, 効果的な, 実際の, 応戦態勢にある
n. - 有効な人, 実動兵員, 効果的

idioms:

• be effective    効果的な

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(صفه) ساري المفعول, مؤثر, فعال‏

עברית (Hebrew)
adj. - ‮יעיל, אפקטיבי, ריאלי, ממשי, מרשים, קיים, ניתן לשימוש, בר-ביצוע‬
n. - ‮חייל מזומן לשירות‬

If you are unable to view some languages clearly, click here.

To select your translation preferences click here.