effective
[adjective]
Synonyms:
- efficient, active, adequate, capable, competent, productive, serviceable, useful
- in operation, active, current, in effect, in force, operative
- powerful, cogent, compelling, convincing, forceful, impressive, persuasive, telling

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Antonyms: ineffective
Contrasted words: abortive, bootless, fruitless, futile, vain, empty, hollow, idle, nugatory, otiose, pointless, inoperative, useless, worthless
Related Words: adequate, capable, competent, cogent, compelling, convincing, sound, telling, valid, able, active, dynamic, operative, useful, direct

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English Thesaurus: successful, effective, victorious, promising, thriving, ...

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

ef‧fec‧tive S2 W1 /ɪˈfektɪv/ adjective
[Word Family: noun: effect, effectiveness ≠ ineffectiveness; adjective: effective ≠ ineffective, effectual ≠ ineffectual; verb: effect; adverb: effectively ≠ ineffectively]

1. successful, and working in the way that was intended Antonym : ineffective:
The cheaper drugs are just as effective in treating arthritis.
the painting’s highly effective use of colour
Training is often much less effective than expected.
the most effective ways of reducing inner city congestion

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In everyday English, people usually say that something works (well), rather than say that it is effective:
The cheaper drugs work just as well.

2. [no comparative, not before noun] if a law, agreement, or system becomes effective, it officially starts
effective from
The cut in interest rates is effective from Monday.

3. [no comparative, only before noun] real rather than what is officially intended or generally believed:
The rebels are in effective control of the city.
—effectiveness noun [uncountable]

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

effective
adj.
I. producing the result you want
VERBS be, look, prove, seem | make sth | find sth We find advertising on the radio very effective.
ADV. brilliantly, especially, extremely, highly, particularly, really, remarkably, very a highly effective technique
completely, fully, perfectly | increasingly | fairly, moderately, partially, pretty, quite, rather, reasonably | enough This method is effective enough with greenfly.
not sufficiently | immediately | potentially | devastatingly, powerfully, surprisingly Sneezes are devastatingly effective at spreading infection.
politically What makes a TV programme politically effective?
PREP. at effective at keeping out the wind
in effective in helping people to stop smoking

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

effective
II. of laws/rules
VERBS be | become | remain
ADV. fully | partially | directly, immediately directly effective treaty provisions
legally

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

effective

extremely/highly effective
The company launched a highly effective advertising campaign.
an effective way
What’s the most effective way to control crime?
an effective method
Exams are not the most effective method of assessing students’ abilities.
an effective means
Is reducing the speed limit an effective means of reducing accidents?
effective action
The police must take effective action to protect the public.
an effective solution
The most effective solution to traffic congestion is to build more roads.
an effective treatment
Antibiotics are still the most effective treatment for this disease.
an effective system
The country has a simple but effective welfare system.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

effective
adjective
1.
BAD: British farmers receive only a little aid since their farms are relatively effective.
GOOD: British farmers receive only a little aid since their farms are relatively efficient.

Usage Note:
See note at EFFICIENT (efficient)

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2.
BAD: Aspirin is very effective to relieve pain.
GOOD: Aspirin is very effective in relieving pain.

Usage Note:
be effective in doing sth : 'Doctors soon realized that this drug was also effective in relieving the symptoms of arthritis.'

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲

successful achieving what you wanted, or having the effect or result you intended:
He applied for a visa three times and in the end he was successful.
The treatment was successful.
It was a highly successful campaign.
effective having the effect or result that was wanted - used especially about treatments, drugs, or methods:
The drug is effective against a range of diseases.
We still haven't found an effective way to solve the problem.
victorious successful as a result of winning in a game, election, war etc:
the captain of the victorious team
She emerged victorious in the second round of voting.
promising likely to be very successful in the future, used especially about someone who is good at a job, sport, art etc:
a promising young athlete
He gave up a promising career in banking.
thriving very successful – used about a company, industry, or organization that is doing well at a particular time:
The area has a thriving tourist industry.
The school is thriving academically.
booming extremely successful – used about an economy, or when business or trade is increasing:
the booming economy in China
Business is booming.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲