Standard Lemma guide

effectuate

verb · 2 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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  • CMU ARPABET: IH0 F EH1 K CH UW0 EY2 T Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To cause, bring about (an event); to accomplish, to carry out (a wish, plan etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

produce

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The scientists set up a shock wave

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: effect, set up

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cause, do, make

Narrower terms: carry through, accomplish, execute, carry out, action, fulfill, fulfil, draw, get, precipitate, induce, stimulate, rush, hasten, serve

History

Etymology

From the participle stem of Renaissance Latin effectuare, or its source, Latin effectus (“effect”); probably after Middle French effectuer.

Across languages

Translations

14 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: постигам (postigam) — to be the cause of
  • Bulgarian: изпълнявам (izpǎlnjavam) — to be the cause of
  • Finnish: aiheuttaa — to be the cause of
  • Finnish: saada aikaan — to be the cause of
  • Finnish: saada aikaiseksi — to be the cause of
  • Finnish: tehdä — to be the cause of
  • Finnish: panna toimeen — to be the cause of
  • Finnish: toteuttaa — to be the cause of
  • Greek: πραγματοποιώ (pragmatopoió) — to be the cause of
  • Greek: πραγματώνω (pragmatóno) — to be the cause of
  • Greek: υλοποιώ (ylopoió) — to be the cause of
  • Spanish: efectuar — to be the cause of
  • Swedish: effektuera — to be the cause of
  • Spanish: efectuarse — reflexive