facere

do, make

Forms

fac-
fact- — Latin stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made.’
-fic- — Used in Latin compounds.
-fect- — Stem of the form meaning ‘done’ or ‘made’ in Latin compounds.
-fy — English ending developed from Latin -ficare, a formation based on this verb.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *dheh₁-, ‘put; set; do.’

Note

Especially productive in formations meaning ‘cause to become.’

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adjective

effective

ih-FEK-tiv/ɪˈfektɪv/

Successful in producing the intended result.

The umbrella is effective at keeping the person dry in the rain.

A well-fitted umbrella keeps a person dry in rain.

Etymology

efLatinout, away; also thoroughly

+fectLatindo, make

+iveLatinhaving a quality or tendency

“Out” and “make” combine in a Latin verb meaning “work out, accomplish.” Effective describes something that carries an intention through to accomplishment: it produces the result aimed at.

In context

365 Financial Analyst0:20

Reciprocation is an extremely effective technique to stimulate a relationship of favor-giving and compliance. It works in a very straight-forward way: you should try to repay, in kind, what another person has provided to you.

The Reciprocation Principle - The Six Principles of Influence

More examples

This cleaner is effective at removing grease.
The treatment is more effective when started early.
An effective teacher makes difficult ideas easy to understand.

Forms

effective · more effective · most effective

effectively adverb — In a way that achieves intended results.

effectiveness noun — The degree to which something achieves intended results.

Similar words

successful: Emphasizes achieving a goal rather than producing an intended effect.
efficient: Adds the idea of minimizing wasted time, effort, or resources.