effectively
Effectively (adv) means In a way that produces the intended result; successfully. Example: “She communicated her point effectively despite the language barrier.”
How to Use Effectively
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither "in a way that works well" or "in practical terms, basically."
Don't confuse with "efficiently" — effectively is about achieving the right outcome, not about doing so with minimal waste.
Word Forms
more effectively comparative, most effectively superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
She communicated her point _____ despite the language barrier.
Etymology
Formed from effective plus the adverb suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for effectively
See all rhymes for effectively →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “effectively” mean?
The word “effectively” means in a way that produces the intended result; successfully. In plain terms, either "in a way that works well" or "in practical terms, basically.".
How do you pronounce “effectively”?
“Effectively” is pronounced ih-FEHK-tihv-lee (/ɪˈfɛktɪvli/ in IPA).
How do you use “effectively” in a sentence?
Here is “effectively” used in a sentence: “She communicated her point effectively despite the language barrier.”
What part of speech is “effectively”?
“Effectively” is an adverb.
Is “effectively” a common word?
“Effectively” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “effectively” have?
“Effectively” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in a way that produces the intended result; successfully.
What is the difference between effectively and efficiently?
Effectively means getting the intended result — doing the right thing so it works. Efficiently means getting a result with the least waste of time, money or effort. You can do a job effectively but not efficiently (it works, but slowly), or efficiently but not effectively (quick, yet missing the point).
Does effectively mean "in effect"?
Yes, that is its second common meaning. Besides "successfully," effectively can mean "in practical terms" or "essentially," as in "she effectively ran the company." Here it signals that something is true in reality even if not officially or technically so. Context tells you which sense is meant.
What is an example of using effectively?
"The medicine treated the infection effectively" means it did the job and produced the intended result. In the other sense, "the strike effectively shut down the city" means that, in practical terms, the city was shut down. The first judges success; the second means "essentially."
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