# effect

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɪˈfɛkt/ · frequency rank #1,015

## Definitions
1. The result or outcome of a cause.
2. Impression left on the mind; sensation produced.
3. Execution; performance; realization; operation.
4. Execution; performance; realization; operation.
5. An illusion produced by technical means (as in "special effect")
6. An alteration, or device for producing an alteration, in sound after it has been produced by an instrument.
7. A scientific phenomenon, usually named after its discoverer.
8. An influence or causal association between two variables.
9. Belongings, usually as personal effects.
10. Consequence intended; purpose; meaning; general intent; with to.
11. Reality; actual meaning; fact, as distinguished from mere appearance.
12. Manifestation; expression; sign.

## Etymology
Of the noun: from Middle English effect, from Old French effect (modern French effet), from Latin effectus (“an effect, tendency, purpose”), from efficiō (“accomplish, complete, effect”); see effect as a verb. Displaced Old English fremming, fremednes from fremman.
Of the verb: from Middle English effecten, partly from Medieval Latin effectuō, from Latin effectus, perfect passive participle of efficiō (“accomplish, complete, do, effect”), from ex (“out”) + faciō (“do, make”) (see fact and compare affect, infect) and partly from the noun effect.

## Easily confused with
- **elect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-elect)
- **erect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-erect)
- **eject** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-eject)
- **expect** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-expect)
- **effort** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-effort)
- **effects** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-effects)
- **effected** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-effected)
- **effector** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/effect-vs-effector)
- **affect** — “Affect” is almost always the verb — to affect something is to influence it. “Effect” is almost always the noun — an effect is the result. (Each has a rarer flip side: “effect” can be a verb meaning to bring about, and “affect” a noun in psychology.) (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/affect-vs-effect)

## Common misspellings (7)
`efect`, `efefct`, `effcet`, `effecct`, `effectt`, `effetc`, `fefect`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/effect