0 the result of a particular influence:
The radiation leak has had a disastrous effect on/upon the environment.
I tried taking tablets for the headache but they didn't have any effect.
She has a lot of confidence, which she uses to good effect (= to her advantage) in interviews.
They had to wait ten minutes for the anaesthetic to take effect before they stitched up the cut.
I get the impression that she uses bad language in meetings for effect.
So in effect the government have lowered taxes for the rich and raised them for the poor.
She said she was unhappy, or words to that effect.
He said something to the effect that he would have to change jobs if the situation continued.
1 use:
2 lighting, sounds, and objects that are specially produced for the stage or a film and are intended to make something that does not exist seem real:
3 a person's possessions, especially after their death:
5 the result of a particular influence; something that happens because of something else:
7 to achieve something and cause it to happen:
It will take years to effect meaningful changes in the educational system.
8 the result of a particular influence:
have/produce an effect Anti-inflationary measures do not yet seem to be having any effect.
effect of sth (on sth) The effect of the redundancies on morale has been extremely damaging.
see/feel/suffer the effects of sth Businesses are already feeling the effects of the new charges.
an adverse/negative/detrimental effect The slowdown will have a detrimental effect on earnings in the short term.
a significant/profound/dramatic effect
reduce/minimize the effects The problem is, how to deal with the demand for more and better goods while minimizing the effect on the environment.
They questioned whether financial liberalization had had the desired effect (= had done what it was intended to do).
9 to be active or being used:
At that time a total ban on financial transactions was in effect.
12 to start using something or making it work:
The aim is to develop new management strategies and put them into effect.
13 used to describe a change that happens immediately or from a particular date:
14 a person's possessions:
Her words had a soothing effect.
This drug may have the effect of speeding up your heart rate.
I worry about the effect that violent movies may have on children.
Certain chemicals have been banned because of their damaging effect on the environment.
It's important to protect your skin from the harmful effects of the sun.
Their movements have been severely limited since the laws came into effect.