[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/effective/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [E](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/e/) / effective

# effective

adjective (effective, more effective, most effective)

«effective» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Something effective works well and gives the result you want. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#m1)
2. (formal) Effective from a time means starting to be in force or used from then. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#m2)
3. Effective can mean real or actual, even if not official. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#m3)

### In the lessons

In science, pupils test which method is most effective (which soap cleans best). In health: "an effective medicine". In formal notices: "The new rule is effective immediately". Phrases: cost-effective, effective immediately, highly effective, take effect.

### Examples

- This glue is very effective on wood. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x1)
- Washing your hands is an effective way to stop germs. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x2)
- Which paper towel was most effective at soaking up water? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x3)
- The new timetable is effective from Monday. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x4)
- Her speech was short but effective. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x5)
- Sun cream is less effective if you don't put more on after swimming. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x6)
- The cheaper shoes were just as effective. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x7)
- Practising a little every day is more effective than cramming. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x8)
- But their very familiarity and colloquialism make them remarkably effective with English-speaking little ones. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/#x9)

### Note

Starts with a vowel: "an effective way". Adverb: effectively. Noun: effectiveness. Trap: affect (verb) vs effect (noun); "effective" comes from "effect". "Efficient" is different: it means working well without wasting time or energy.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «effective» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/E/effective/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«effective» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/effective.html) on Mova free.