effectiveness
ih-FEHK-tihv-nihs
Effectiveness (noun) means the degree to which something achieves the result it is meant to. Example: “We tested the effectiveness of the new cleaning spray on stubborn stains.”
noun
1
The degree to which something achieves the result it is meant to.
"United were having more possession but a sign of the effectiveness of Liverpool's defence was that it took the visitors 76 minutes to force Mignolet into serious action, when he dived to punch away a shot from substitute Nani."
— Phil McNulty, Liverpool 1-0 Man Utd (2013)
"We tested the effectiveness of the new cleaning spray on stubborn stains."
"He questioned the effectiveness of the treatment."
"Studies measured the effectiveness of the new vaccine."
"The coach questioned the effectiveness of the team's defensive strategy."
How to use effectiveness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow well something actually works at doing what it's supposed to do.
Common pairings
proven effectiveness
measure effectiveness
question the effectiveness
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like effectiveness.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- effectivenesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
We tested the _____ of the new cleaning spray on stubborn stains.
Etymology
Formed from effective plus the noun-forming suffix "-ness."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
ineffectiveness
Related words
Rhymes for effectiveness
oneness
likeness
idleness
lateness
rudeness
niceness
cuteness
awareness
whiteness
closeness
politeness
gentleness
See all rhymes for effectiveness →
Frequently asked questions
What does “effectiveness” mean?
The word “effectiveness” means the degree to which something achieves the result it is meant to. In plain terms, how well something actually works at doing what it's supposed to do.
How do you pronounce “effectiveness”?
“Effectiveness” is pronounced ih-FEHK-tihv-nihs (/ɪˈfɛk.tɪv.nɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “effectiveness” in a sentence?
Here is “effectiveness” used in a sentence: “Studies measured the effectiveness of the new vaccine.”
What part of speech is “effectiveness”?
“Effectiveness” is a noun.
Is “effectiveness” a common word?
“Effectiveness” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between effectiveness and efficiency?
Effectiveness is the degree to which something achieves the result it is meant to; efficiency is how little time, money, or effort it wastes in doing so. A treatment can be effective but inefficient — it works, but slowly and expensively — and a process can be efficient yet ineffective.
What is the difference between effectiveness and efficacy?
Efficacy is the power of something to produce its intended result under ideal or controlled conditions, such as a clinical trial. Effectiveness is the degree to which it achieves that result in real-world use, which is why a medicine's trial efficacy can be higher than its everyday effectiveness.
What is the adjective form of effectiveness?
The adjective is effective, meaning achieving the intended result, and the related adverb is effectively. Effectiveness is the noun that names the quality, as in "the effectiveness of the new policy."
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include effectiveness:
