effort
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for effort, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Physical or mental energy put into doing something.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use effort
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French esfort, related to esforcier ("to exert oneself"), ultimately from Latin fortis, "strong" — the same root that gives us "force" and "fortify."
Full origin of effort →Frequently asked questions
What does “effort” mean?
The word “effort” means physical or mental energy put into doing something. In plain terms, the work or energy you put into trying to do something.
How do you pronounce “effort”?
“Effort” is pronounced EHF-uht (/ˈɛf.ɚt/ in IPA).
How do you use “effort” in a sentence?
Here is “effort” used in a sentence: “It took a lot of effort to finish the marathon.”
What is another word for “effort”?
Words with a similar meaning to “effort” include struggle.
What part of speech is “effort”?
“Effort” is a noun.
Where does the word “effort” come from?
The word “effort” comes from Latin. From Old French esfort, related to esforcier ("to exert oneself"), ultimately from Latin fortis, "strong" — the same root that gives us "force" and "fortify.".
Is “effort” a common word?
“Effort” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “effort” have?
“Effort” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: physical or mental energy put into doing something.
What is the difference between effort and hard work?
Effort is the mental or physical energy you put into a task at any given moment; hard work usually describes sustained effort over time. A single push can take effort without being hard work, while hard work is effort repeated with persistence and discipline until something is achieved.
Can effort be measured?
Not directly — effort is an internal experience, so we gauge it through visible signs like time spent, output produced, or physical strain such as a raised heart rate. Two people can produce the same result with very different effort, which is why effort is often judged rather than precisely measured.
Why is effort important?
Effort is the energy that turns intention into action; without it, plans and talent stay unused. It drives learning, improvement, and achievement, and many people value it in its own right — praising effort, not just results, tends to encourage persistence and a willingness to tackle hard things.
What is an example of effort?
Revising late into the night for an exam, pushing through the final mile of a run, or carefully rewriting a paragraph until it reads well are all examples of effort. Each involves deliberately spending physical or mental energy on a task rather than doing the easiest thing.