adv · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
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/ɪˈfɛktɪvli/
Southern-England:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
Northeastern, US:Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
CMU ARPABET:IH0 F EH1 K T IH0 V L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
CMU ARPABET 2:IY1 F EH0 K T IH0 V L IY0
Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.
1
adv
Meaning 1
In an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
2
adv
Meaning 2
Essentially, in effect, for all practical purposes.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Examples
On paper, the answer seems to be yes, but, effectively, the answer is no.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
3
adverb
Meaning 3
in actuality or reality or fact
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
she is effectively his wife
in effect, they had no choice
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: in effect
Antonyms: none provided
4
adverb
Meaning 4
in an effective manner
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
these are real problems that can be dealt with most effectively by rational discussion
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: efficaciously
Antonyms: ineffectively
History
Etymology
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h1éǵh Proto-Indo-European *-s Proto-Indo-European *h1éǵhs Proto-Italic *eks Latin ex Latin ef- Proto-Indo-European *dheh1- Proto-Indo-European *dheh1k- Proto-Indo-European *-yéti Proto-Indo-European *dhh1kyéti Proto-Italic *θakjō Proto-Italic *fakjō Latin faciō Latin efficiō Proto-Indo-European *-wós Proto-Indo-European *-iHwósder. Latin -īvus Latin effectīvusbor. French effectifder. English effective Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English effectively From effective + -ly.
Across languages
Translations
34 source translations are retained for this English entry.
Czech:
efektivně
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Finnish:
tehokkaasti
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Finnish:
vaikuttavasti
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
French:
efficacement
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
German:
effektiv
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
German:
wirksam
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Hungarian:
hatékonyan
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Hungarian:
hathatósan
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Hungarian:
eredményesen
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Italian:
efficacemente
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Latin:
potenter
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Norman:
êfficacement
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Portuguese:
efetivamente
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Portuguese:
eficazmente
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Russian:
эффекти́вно
(effektívno)
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Serbo-Croatian:
učinkòvito
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Serbo-Croatian:
djȅlotvōrno
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Serbo-Croatian:
ȅfikasno
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Slovene:
učinkovito
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Spanish:
efectivamente
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Swedish:
effektivt
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect
Yiddish:
עפֿעקטיוו
(efektiv)
— in an efficient or effective manner; with powerful effect