How to pronounce effective
Say it like EE-fek-tiv. Effective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE).
- EE
- fek
- tiv
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Effective pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- EESay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- fekKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- tivKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of effective
- The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2.
British respelling: ih-FEK-tiv.
Other ways to say effective
Effective also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- ih-FEK-tiv /ɪˈfɛktɪv/
What does effective mean?
- Having the power to produce a required effect or effects.“The pill is an effective method of birth control.”
- Producing a decided or decisive effect.“The president delivered an effective speech!”
- Efficient, serviceable, or operative, available for useful work.“How long does it take to make a bunch of civilians an effective military force?”
- a soldier fit for duty
Where does effective come from?
From French effectif, from Latin effectīvus (“productive; effective”), from efficiō (“to make; to bring about”), equivalent to effect + -ive.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
- efficacious
- telling
- effectual
- efficient
- good
- in effect
- in force
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying effective
How do you pronounce effective?
Say EE-fek-tiv. The American pronunciation is /ˈifɛktɪv/. In British English it is /ɪˈfɛktɪv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in effective?
Effective has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (EE). Broken into parts: EE · fek · tiv.
Is effective pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The stress moves: Americans stress syllable 1, while British speakers stress syllable 2. The British form is /ɪˈfɛktɪv/ (ih-FEK-tiv).