SAT Basic
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effective

/ɪˈfɛktɪv/
English Definition
adj. successful in producing a desired result
中文释义
有效的
Example Sentence

The new irrigation technique proved effective in reducing water waste while increasing crop yields.

新的灌溉技术被证明在减少水资源浪费的同时提高作物产量方面是有效的。

Synonyms
productive successful efficacious
Antonyms
ineffective futile
Seen in practice — from the Digital SAT question bank

A political scientist claims that negative campaign advertisements, while often criticized, are actually more effective than positive ads at increasing voter turnout among a candidate's base.

From a Command of Evidence: Textual question · Information and Ideas

The scientific paper's introduction reviews three prior studies that reached conflicting conclusions about a compound's effectiveness, and the remainder of the paper describes a new experiment designed specifically to resolve that conflict.

From a Text Structure and Purpose question · Craft and Structure

Physician Leo Ferraro agrees that the nasal spray produces a strong antibody response but stresses that its real-world effectiveness depends on proper administration technique, which clinical trial staff, unlike ordinary patients self-administering the spray at home, were trained to perform correctly.

From a Cross-Text Connections question · Craft and Structure

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Practice — Definition Match

Which choice best defines “effective”?

  1. A Made by humans
  2. B Very bad, awful
  3. C Successful in producing a desired result
  4. D Having no money
Show answer

C — Successful in producing a desired result. “effective” means successful in producing a desired result.

Practice — Which Word Fits?

Which word means “successful in producing a desired result”?

  1. A penniless
  2. B artificial
  3. C dreadful
  4. D effective
Show answer

D — effective. “effective” means successful in producing a desired result.

Common questions about “effective”

What does “effective” mean?

effective — successful in producing a desired result. In Chinese: 有效的.

How do you pronounce “effective”?

effective is pronounced /ɪˈfɛktɪv/.

How is “effective” used in a sentence?

The new irrigation technique proved effective in reducing water waste while increasing crop yields. (新的灌溉技术被证明在减少水资源浪费的同时提高作物产量方面是有效的。)

What are synonyms for “effective”?

productive, successful, efficacious — all close in meaning to effective (successful in producing a desired result).

What is the opposite of “effective”?

ineffective, futile — each the opposite of effective (successful in producing a desired result).

Is “effective” an SAT vocabulary word?

Yes. effective is on the SAT Prep Basic list — the everyday academic words the SAT assumes you already have. The Digital SAT does not test vocabulary in isolation; words like this one are tested through Words in Context questions, where you choose the word that completes a passage most logically and precisely.

Progress / 学习进度
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This level: 0 mastered (0% of the level)
The Digital SAT tests vocabulary through Words in Context questions, never as a standalone definition. Learn the word, then use it against a real passage.