effect
a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon
How often you will meet it
Rank 700 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 26,883 times across 139,755 chapters — 0.013% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 1,000 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
noun
- a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon also: consequence, outcome, result, event, issue, upshot the magnetic effect was greater when the rod was lengthwisehis decision had depressing consequences for business
- an outward appearance also: impression he made a good impressionI wanted to create an impression of success
- an impression (especially one that is artificial or contrived) he just did it for effect
- the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work also: essence, burden, core, gist
- (of a law) having legal validity also: force the law is still in effect
- a symptom caused by an illness or a drug the effects of sleep lossthe effect of the anesthetic
verb
- produce also: effectuate, set up The scientists set up a shock wave
- act so as to bring into existence effect a change
effect in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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He was intensely pleased with the great effect and excitement his words had produced on Agnes.
Cornelli · Johanna Spyri · Chapter 1
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He liked mathematics, and was wont to say jocosely that an abstract computation had a fine moral effect, favouring unselfishness.
The Crown of Life · George Gissing · Chapter 1
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She could not help remembering Lady Maria's remark about the effect he produced on women when he entered a room.
Emily Fox-Seton · Frances Hodgson Burnett · Chapter 1
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That the murderer was known as an imbecile, had no effect whatever upon the people who thirsted for his blood.
The Red Record Tabulated Statistics · Ida B. Wells-Barnett · Chapter 1
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I chafed at first, and then, under the hypnotising effect of routine, gradually began to find a grim satisfaction in the life.
Ethan Frome · Edith Wharton · Chapter 1