EFFECTIVE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does effective mean? 

• EFFECTIVE (adjective)
  The adjective EFFECTIVE has 6 senses:

1. producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

2. able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively

3. works well as a means or remedy

4. exerting force or influence

5. existing in fact; not theoretical; real

6. ready for service

  Familiarity information: EFFECTIVE used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EFFECTIVE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

Synonyms:

effective; effectual; efficacious

Context example:

an efficacious law

Similar:

hard-hitting; trenchant (characterized by or full of force and vigor)

impelling (markedly effective as if by emotional pressure)

impressive; telling (producing a strong effect)

rough-and-ready (crude but effective for the purpose at hand)

Also:

efficacious (marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect)

efficient (being effective without wasting time or effort or expense)

potent; stiff; strong (having a strong physiological or chemical effect)

powerful (having great power or force or potency or effect)

useful; utile (being of use or service)

Attribute:

effectiveness; effectivity; effectuality; effectualness (power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect)

Antonym:

ineffective (not producing an intended effect)

Derivation:

effect (produce)

effectiveness; effectivity (power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively

Synonyms:

effective; efficient

Context example:

the efficient cause of the revolution

Similar:

competent (properly or sufficiently qualified or capable or efficient)

Derivation:

effect (produce)

effectiveness; effectivity (power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Works well as a means or remedy

Context example:

a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat

Similar:

efficacious (marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect)

Derivation:

effectiveness (power to be effective; the quality of being able to bring about an effect)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Exerting force or influence

Synonyms:

effective; good; in effect; in force

Context example:

the law is already in effect (or in force)

Similar:

operative (being in force or having or exerting force)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Existing in fact; not theoretical; real

Context example:

confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done

Similar:

actual; existent (presently existing in fact and not merely potential or possible)

Sense 6

Meaning:

Ready for service

Context example:

the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers

Similar:

operational ((military) of or intended for or involved in military operations)

Domain category:

armed forces; armed services; military; military machine; war machine (the military forces of a nation)

 Context examples 

It is particularly effective in inducing colon carcinomas.

(Azoxymethane, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

Apricitabine is effective against nucleoside-resistant HIV.

(Apricitabine, NCI Thesaurus)

Any agent that is effective against infections caused by parasitic organisms and is able to inhibit their growth or kill them.

(Antiparasitic Agent, NCI Thesaurus)

Due to its dual inhibitory activity, INNO-406 has been shown to overcome this particular drug resistance and to be a potent and effective agent in the treatment of imatinib-resistant CML.

(Bafetinib, NCI Thesaurus)

However, there are effective treatments to control symptoms: medicine and talk therapy.

(Bipolar Disorder, NIH: National Institute of Mental Health)

Standard treatments go through a long and careful research process to prove they are safe and effective, but less is known about most types of CAM.

(CAM, NCI Dictionary)

The products that are available in the United States may not contain the same amount or mixture of ingredients and may not be effective.

(Calendula ointment, NCI Dictionary)

Deficiency of serum C3 and its major cleavage product, C3b, will decrease the effective humoral immune response to encapsulated bacteria.

(C3 Deficiency, NCI Thesaurus)

Anti-Id vaccines may be effective in the treatment of B-cell lymphomas, resulting in tumor regression.

(Anti-Idiotype Specified Monoclonal Antibody, NCI Thesaurus)

Animal studies also test how safe and effective new treatments are before they are tested in people.

(Animal study, NCI Dictionary)