Word
effect
Meanings
a change or result caused by something
a special impression or outcome intentionally created, especially in art, film, or speech
the power to produce a result; usefulness or influence
Definition
An effect is a change or result caused by something.
An effect is the result or change that happens because of an action, event, or situation. It answers the question “What happened because of this?” In everyday English, it is often used with cause-and-effect relationships. In formal writing, it commonly appears in phrases like “have an effect on.”
Examples
- The new rules had a positive effect on safety.
- Lack of sleep can have a strong effect on your mood.
- The medicine had no effect on his pain.
- She lowered her voice for effect.
- High prices often have an effect on demand.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse effect (a result, usually a noun) with affect (to influence, usually a verb).
More at B2 level
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More nouns
- fascism Fascism is an extreme right-wing political system with a powerful dictator, strong nationalism, and…
- gaslighting Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation that makes someone doubt their own memory, judg…
- narcissist A narcissist is someone who is excessively self-centered and craves admiration while showing little…
- empathy Empathy is the ability to understand and share another person’s feelings.
- metaphor A metaphor is a way of describing something by saying it is something else to create a clear image …