- producing the result that is wanted or intended; producing a successful result
- Aspirin is a simple but highly effective treatment.
- Some people believe that violence is an effective way of protesting.
- an effective means/strategy/tool/method
- I admire the effective use of colour in her paintings.
- The system has proved less effective than hoped.
- effective against something drugs that are effective against cancer
Extra ExamplesTopics Successb1, Change, cause and effectb1- Long prison sentences can be a very effective deterrent for offenders.
- This method is effective enough with greenfly.
- We find advertising on the radio very effective.
- What makes a TV programme politically effective?
- a particularly effective technique
- effective at keeping out the wind
- effective in helping people to lose weight
- The vaccines will be safe and effective if used properly.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- look
- prove
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- at
- in
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- [only before noun] in reality, although not officially intended
- the effective, if not the actual, leader of the party
- In spite of what they are told, parents have no effective choice of schools.
- He has now taken effective control of the country.
- (formal) (of laws and rules) coming into use
- The new speed limit on this road becomes effective from 1 June.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- become
- remain
- …
- fully
- partially
- directly
- …
Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin effectivus, from efficere ‘accomplish’, from ex- ‘out, thoroughly’ + facere ‘do, make’.
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effective