n. 1
Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; with to.
n. 2
The result or outcome of a cause.
The effect of the hurricane was a devastated landscape.
v. 1
To make or bring about; to implement.
The best way to effect change is to work with existing stakeholders.

Related words

Phrases: in effect side-effect take effect greenhouse effect come into effect rebound effect legal effect distancing effect

Forms

Plural: effects → consequences, results, outcomes, issues…
Past participle: effected
e.g. effected → created, effectuated, accomplished, achieved…

Choose the right word

Effect, Act, Deed or Action?

An act is strictly and originally something accomplished by an exercise of power, in which sense it is synonymous with deed or effect. In this sense an act does not necessarily imply an external effect, while an action does.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

result As regards the result, you need not worry so much.
outcome Whatever the outcome, you must meet the challenge.
consequence He changed his mind in consequence of the marriage.
upshot The upshot is that client satisfaction has reached an all-time high.
purpose What is the main purpose of your studying English?
meaning He explained the literal meaning of the sentences.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
effect		falling
result		steady
outcome		rising
consequence		steady
upshot		rising
purpose		falling

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

2 letters: do¹
3 letters: end¹
4 letters: make¹, work¹, core¹, gist¹
5 letters: power², issue², event², force¹, carry², fruit¹, drift¹, fetch¹, tenor²
6 letters: result², weight¹, create², intent², burden², import², induce², attain², fulfil², upshot²
7 letters: product², purpose², meaning², produce², realize³, perform², achieve², outcome², dynamic³, realise³, bearing², harvest², essence², execute³
8 letters: complete², validity⁴
9 letters: influence³
10 letters: impression³, accomplish³, effectuate⁴
11 letters: consequence³, termination⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (power² = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français: effet
Italiano: effetto
Español: efecto
Deutsch: Effekt
Català: efecte