efficacy
gb/ˈɛfɪkˌæsi/ us/ˈɛfɪkˌæsi/
C1
Inglés
~ 6800
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Sustantivo
formal
C1
property
1
ability to produce the desired result
The power of something, like a plan, drug, or method, to produce the result you want.
Patrón de uso:
the efficacy of [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners often confuse "efficacy" with "efficiency". "Efficacy" is about whether something works and produces the intended result at all, while "efficiency" is about how well it uses time, money, or energy to get that result. For example, a drug can have high efficacy (it cures the illness) but low efficiency (it is very expensive to produce). Learners also sometimes try to use "efficacy" as an adjective (e.g., *an efficacy drug*), but the correct adjective is "effective".
Sinónimos
effectiveness (Very close in meaning and slightly more general; used in both everyday and formal contexts, while "efficacy" is more formal and often used in scientific or official writing.)
|
potency (Emphasizes strength or power, especially of drugs or chemicals, and may not always include the idea of achieving a specific goal as clearly as "efficacy".)
Antónimos
ineffectiveness (Direct opposite; describes a lack of ability to produce the desired result.)
|
failure (Broader term for not achieving a goal; stronger and less technical than "ineffectiveness" or "inefficacy".)
Colocaciones
the efficacy of the vaccine
|demonstrate efficacy
|clinical efficacy
|test the efficacy
|assess efficacy
|efficacy and safety
Temas
science
|health
|business
|law
Ejemplos
- Researchers are still gathering data on the efficacy of the new vaccine.
- The policy’s efficacy will be reviewed after one year of implementation.
- Several clinical trials have confirmed the drug’s efficacy in treating the disease.
- Questions were raised about the efficacy of the current security measures.
- They compared the efficacy of online learning with traditional classroom teaching.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Doctors are studying the efficacy of this new medicine.
- The company tested the efficacy of its marketing plan.
- Some people doubt the efficacy of the new law.
- We need proof of the efficacy of this treatment.
- The efficacy of the program was clear after crime rates fell.
Sustantivo
technical
C2
property
2
maximum possible effect of a drug
In medical and drug studies, the strongest effect that a drug or treatment can give, even if you increase the dose more.
Patrón de uso:
the efficacy of [a drug/treatment] at [a dose]
Error frecuente:
Learners may not realize that, in technical pharmacology, "efficacy" can mean something more specific than just general effectiveness: it refers to the maximum possible effect, which is different from "potency" (how much drug is needed for an effect). In non‑specialist contexts, this distinction is often not made clear, which can cause confusion.
Sinónimos
maximum therapeutic effect (A technical phrase that explains the idea more fully but is longer and less convenient than "efficacy" in specialist writing.)
Antónimos
lack of therapeutic effect (Describes the situation where a drug or treatment does not produce the intended medical effect, the practical opposite of pharmacological efficacy.)
Colocaciones
drug efficacy
|vaccine efficacy
|dose–response efficacy
|therapeutic efficacy
|high efficacy at low doses
Temas
science
|health
Ejemplos
- The study compared the efficacy of two antidepressants across different dose levels.
- Beyond a certain point, increasing the dose does not improve the drug’s efficacy.
- Efficacy was defined as the maximum reduction in symptoms observed during the trial.
- Researchers reported high vaccine efficacy in preventing severe disease.
- The team modeled the relationship between dose and efficacy in elderly patients.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- Scientists measured the efficacy of the new drug in cancer patients.
- In this study, efficacy was higher at a lower dose.
- The vaccine showed high efficacy in young adults.
- Doctors are looking at long‑term efficacy of this treatment.
- Researchers reported low efficacy for the old medicine.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
efficacy
AFI
GB/ˈɛfɪkˌæsi/
US/ˈɛfɪkˌæsi/
Sílabas y acento
ef - fic - acy (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (ef)
Formas de la palabra
Noun
- Base: efficacy
- Plural: efficacies, efficacy
Familia de palabras
Forms
efficacies
noun
Core family
Related words
effect
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
efficacious
adjective
efficaciously
adverb
Expresiones
Todavía no hay expresiones vinculadas a esta entrada.