effort
gb/ˈɛfɚt/ us/ˈɛfɚt/
A2
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
use of energy to achieve something
When you try hard and use your body or mind to do something.
Usage pattern:
make an effort to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'effort' with 'attempt'. 'Effort' refers to the energy used, while 'attempt' refers to the act of trying, regardless of energy spent.
Synonyms
exertion (More formal; often refers specifically to physical strain.)
|
attempt (Focuses more on the act of trying rather than the energy used.)
Antonyms
idleness (The state of not using energy or making any attempt.)
Collocations
make an effort
|put in effort
|require effort
|waste effort
|considerable effort
Themes
daily life
|work
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|health
Examples
- It took a lot of effort to finish the project on time.
- She made an effort to speak more clearly.
- Climbing the hill required considerable effort.
- He wasted his effort on a plan that didn’t work.
- With some extra effort, we can meet the deadline.
Learner examples
- It takes effort to learn a new language.
- She made an effort to smile.
- He put in a lot of effort at work.
- Running up the stairs is hard effort.
- We need more effort to win the game.
Noun
B1
entity
2
an attempt to achieve something
Something you do when you try to get a result, often when it is not easy.
Usage pattern:
an effort to [do something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'effort' when 'try' or 'attempt' is more natural in casual speech.
Synonyms
endeavor (More formal; often used for serious or important attempts.)
Antonyms
neglect (Failure to make any attempt or try.)
Collocations
joint effort
|team effort
|final effort
|failed effort
Themes
daily life
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Their latest effort to reduce costs was successful.
- He made one last effort to win her back.
- The team's joint effort led to victory.
- Despite their efforts, they couldn't solve the problem.
Learner examples
- We made an effort to clean the park.
- His effort to fix the car failed.
- The team won because of their strong effort.
- She gave her best effort in the race.
Grammar
Dictionary form
effort
IPA
GB/ˈɛfɚt/
US/ˈɛfɚt/
Syllables & stress
ef - fort (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ef)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: effort
- Plural: effort, efforts
Word family
Forms
efforts
noun
Negative and opposite forms
effortless
adjective B2
effortlessly
adverb
Advanced or less common
effortful
adjective
Expressions
best efforts
1/bˈɛst ˈɛfɚts/
fixed phrase
the most someone can try or do
The most you can try or do.
Examples
- Despite our best efforts, we lost the game.
- She gave her best efforts to complete the project.
in an effort to
1/ˈɪn ən ˈɛfɚt tə/
fixed phrase
with the aim of trying to do something
Used to show you are trying to reach a goal.
Examples
- In an effort to save money, they stopped eating out.
- He spoke slowly in an effort to be understood.
make an effort
1/mˈeɪk ən ˈɛfɚt/
fixed phrase
try hard to do something
To try hard to do something.
Examples
- You should make an effort to exercise regularly.
- He made an effort to arrive on time despite the traffic.
make an effort
3/mˈeɪk ən ˈɛfɚt/
fixed phrase
try hard
to try hard
Examples
- She made an effort to be friendly to everyone.
- You need to make an effort if you want to improve.
- He made a real effort to arrive on time.
spare no effort
1/spˈɛɹ nˈoʊ ˈɛfɚt/
idiom
do everything you can
To work very hard and do everything you can to reach a goal.
Examples
- The rescue team spared no effort in searching for survivors.
- The team spared no effort to finish the project on time.
- She spared no effort in preparing for the exam.
- Authorities spared no effort to find the missing child.