Added 9 October 2026
effective
/ɪˈfɛktɪv/ adjective
In Latin: efficax Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about effective at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
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Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.
The pill is an effective method of birth control.
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Producing a decided or decisive effect.
The president delivered an effective speech!
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Efficient, serviceable, or operative, available for useful work.
How long does it take to make a bunch of civilians an effective military force?
noun
Origin
From French effectif, from Latin effectīvus (“productive; effective”), from efficiō (“to make; to bring about”), equivalent to effect + -ive.
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)