Effect

Something brought about by a cause or agent; a result. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence: The drug had an immediate effect on the pain. The government's action had no effect on the trade imbalance. A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon: the photovoltaic effect. Advantage; avail: used her words to great effect in influencing the jury. The condition of being in full force or execution: a new regulation that goes into effect tomorrow.

Something that produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention: The lighting effects emphasized the harsh atmosphere of the drama. A particular impression: large windows that gave an effect of spaciousness. Production of a desired impression: spent lavishly on dinner just for effect. The basic or general meaning; import: He said he was greatly worried, or words to that effect. effects Movable belongings; goods.

tr.v. ef·fect·ed, ef·fect·ing, ef·fects To bring into existence. To produce as a result. To bring about. See Usage Note at affect1.

Idiom: in effect In essence; to all purposes: testimony that in effect contradicted her earlier statement.

Synonyms: effect, consequence, result, outcome, upshot, sequel - These nouns denote an occurrence, situation, or condition that is caused by an antecedent:

An effect is produced by the action of an agent or a cause and follows it in time.

A consequence has a less sharply definable relationship to its cause.

A result is viewed as the end product of the operation of the cause.

An outcome more strongly implies finality and may suggest the operation of a cause over a relatively long period.

An upshot is a decisive result, often of the nature of a climax.

A sequel is a consequence that ensues after a lapse of time.

Something brought about by a cause or an agent; a result. The power to produce an outcome or achieve a result; influence. A scientific law, hypothesis, or phenomenon. The condition of being in full force or execution. Something which produces a specific impression or supports a general design or intention.

v. ef·fect·ed, ef·fect·ing, ef·fects To bring into existence. To produce as a result. To bring about.