effectiveness
gb/ɪfˈɛktɪvnəs/ us/ɪfˈɛktɪvnəs/
B1
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
property
1
Ability to achieve desired results
How well something works to get the result you want.
Usage pattern:
the effectiveness of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'effectiveness' with 'efficiency'. 'Effectiveness' is about achieving the goal, while 'efficiency' is about doing it with minimal waste.
Synonyms
efficacy (More formal and often used in scientific or medical contexts.)
|
success (Less precise; refers generally to achieving a goal, not necessarily efficiency or method.)
Antonyms
ineffectiveness (Direct opposite; failure to produce the desired result.)
|
inefficiency (Focuses more on wastefulness rather than complete failure.)
Collocations
measure effectiveness
|increase effectiveness
|reduce effectiveness
|evaluate effectiveness
|effectiveness of treatment
Themes
business
|science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|work
Examples
- The effectiveness of the new marketing strategy was clear from the sales figures.
- Researchers tested the drug's effectiveness in reducing symptoms.
- Training programs can improve the effectiveness of employees.
- The effectiveness of this method has been proven over time.
Learner examples
- The medicine showed high effectiveness.
- We checked the effectiveness of the plan.
- Good tools can improve effectiveness.
- The teacher talked about the effectiveness of reading every day.
Grammar
Dictionary form
effectiveness
IPA
GB/ɪfˈɛktɪvnəs/
US/ɪfˈɛktɪvnəs/
Syllables & stress
ef - fect - ive - ness (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fect)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: effectiveness
- Plural: effectiveness, effectivenesses
Word family
Forms
effectivenesses
noun
Core family
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
efficacy
noun C1
efficacious
adjective
Expressions
evaluate effectiveness
1/ɪvˈæljuˌeɪt ɪfˈɛktɪvnəs/
fixed phrase
Judge how well something works
To decide how good something is at doing what it should do.
Examples
- Experts will evaluate effectiveness after the trial.
- The company evaluates effectiveness every quarter.
measure effectiveness
1/mˈɛʒɚ ɪfˈɛktɪvnəs/
fixed phrase
Assess how well something works
To find out how good something is at getting results.
Examples
- We need to measure effectiveness before making changes.
- The study aims to measure effectiveness of different teaching methods.
reduce effectiveness
1/ɹɪdˈus ɪfˈɛktɪvnəs/
fixed phrase
Make something work less well
To make something less good at getting results.
Examples
- Too much heat can reduce the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Stress may reduce the effectiveness of your work.