effect

noun (RESULT)

/ɪˈfekt/

Definition

1. Definition

2. Practise

B1 [C or U] 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. I think I'm suffering from the effects of too little sleep. She has a lot of confidence which she uses to good effect (= to her advantage) in interviews. → See also aftereffectsOutcomes and consequences take effect C1 to produce or achieve the results you want: They had to wait ten minutes for the anaesthetic to take effect before they stitched up the cut.Outcomes and consequences for effect › If you say or do something for effect, you intentionally do it to shock people or attract their attention: I get the impression that she uses bad language in meetings for effect.Making people sad, shocked and upset in effect C2 in fact, or in practice: So in effect the government have lowered taxes for the rich and raised them for the poor.True, real, false, and unreal to that effect (also to the effect that) › used to express that what you are reporting is only a short and general form of what was really said: 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.Approximate

(Definition of effect noun (RESULT) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

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