1ef·fect 
/ɪˈfɛkt/ noun
plural ef·fects /ɪˈfɛkt/ noun 1 : a change that results when something is done or happens : an event, condition, or state of affairs that is produced by a cause [count] ▪ The defeat had a terrible effect [=impact] on the team's spirits. ▪ He now needs more of the drug to achieve/get/produce the same effect. ▪ The experience has had a bad/adverse/negative effect on him. ▪ a good/beneficial/positive effect ▪ Computers have had a profound/significant effect on our lives. ▪ The effects of the drug soon wore off. ▪ He was able to stop taking the drug with no ill effects. [=with nothing bad happening] ▪ This treatment causes fewer ill effects. [noncount] ▪ The change in policy had little effect on most people. ▪ the effect [=influence] of climate on growth ▪ He was able to stop taking the drug without ill effect. ◊If something has an effect on something or someone, it changes or influences that thing or person in some way.
▪ The new regulations may have an effect on small businesses. ▪ It could have effects on other businesses as well. — see also domino effect, greenhouse effect, ripple effect, side effect, snowball effect, placebo effect at placebo 2 [count] : a particular feeling or mood created by something
▪ The total effect of the painting was one of gloom. ▪ The color gives the effect of being warm. ▪ He achieves/gets amazing effects with wood. ◊Something that is done for effect is done in a deliberate way to produce a particular feeling or reaction.
▪ Her tears were only for effect. [=she was crying or pretending to cry to make people feel sympathy for her] ▪ The movie exaggerates his odd habits for comic/humorous effect. ▪ Before making the announcement, he paused for dramatic effect. [=he paused to make the announcement more dramatic] 3 [count] : an image or a sound that is created in television, radio, or movies to imitate something real : special effect — usually plural ▪ Computers are essential now in creating effects for the movies. ▪ sound effects ▪ visual effects 4 [noncount] : the state of something that is actually working or operating
▪ The policy will be in effect next year. ◊If a law or something like a law takes effect, comes into effect, or goes into effect, it begins to work or to be enforced.
▪ The law went/came into effect today. ▪ The new regulations will take effect next year. ◊If a drug or something like a drug takes effect, it begins to produce the results it is meant to produce.
▪ The medication should take effect half an hour after you take the pills. ◊To give effect to something or to carry/bring/put something into effect is to make it begin doing what it was intended to do.
▪ The court refused to give effect to that part of the document. ▪ The company has not yet carried these plans into effect. [=the company has not yet acted on these plans] ▪ The new regulations will be put into effect next year. 5 effects [plural] : personal property or possessions
▪ household effects ▪ Pick up your (personal) effects before you leave.
▪ The new regulations may have an effect on small businesses. ▪ It could have effects on other businesses as well. — see also domino effect, greenhouse effect, ripple effect, side effect, snowball effect, placebo effect at placebo
▪ The total effect of the painting was one of gloom. ▪ The color gives the effect of being warm. ▪ He achieves/gets amazing effects with wood. ◊Something that is done for effect is done in a deliberate way to produce a particular feeling or reaction.
▪ Her tears were only for effect. [=she was crying or pretending to cry to make people feel sympathy for her] ▪ The movie exaggerates his odd habits for comic/humorous effect. ▪ Before making the announcement, he paused for dramatic effect. [=he paused to make the announcement more dramatic]
▪ The policy will be in effect next year. ◊If a law or something like a law takes effect, comes into effect, or goes into effect, it begins to work or to be enforced.
▪ The law went/came into effect today. ▪ The new regulations will take effect next year. ◊If a drug or something like a drug takes effect, it begins to produce the results it is meant to produce.
▪ The medication should take effect half an hour after you take the pills. ◊To give effect to something or to carry/bring/put something into effect is to make it begin doing what it was intended to do.
▪ The court refused to give effect to that part of the document. ▪ The company has not yet carried these plans into effect. [=the company has not yet acted on these plans] ▪ The new regulations will be put into effect next year.
▪ household effects ▪ Pick up your (personal) effects before you leave.
in effect
— used to say that one thing has the same effect or result as something else ▪ The suggestion was in effect an order.
to good effect
◊If you use something to good/great/fine/outstanding (etc.) effect, you use it in a way that produces good results.
▪ The city has used these resources to good effect. ▪ These changes have been implemented to great effect.
▪ The city has used these resources to good effect. ▪ These changes have been implemented to great effect.
to little/no effect
◊If something is done to little effect or to no effect, it produces little or no change.
▪ His doctors have repeatedly adjusted his medication to little effect.
▪ His doctors have repeatedly adjusted his medication to little effect.
to that effect or to the effect that
— used to indicate that the meaning of words is roughly correct even if the words themselves are not completely accurate ▪ He said more time was needed to reach a decision, or words to that effect. = He said something to the effect that more time was needed to reach a decision.
