View synonyms for effort

effort

[ ef-ert ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

exertion of physical or mental power:
It will take great effort to achieve victory.
Synonyms: striving, struggle
an earnest or strenuous attempt:
an effort to keep to the schedule.
something done by exertion or hard work:
I thought it would be easy, but it was an effort.
an achievement, as in literature or art:
The painting is one of his finest efforts.
the amount of exertion expended for a specified purpose:
the war effort.
Chiefly British.
1. an organized community drive or achievement.
2. a fund-raising drive.
Mechanics. the force or energy that is applied to a machine for the accomplishment of useful work.

effort

/ ˈɛfət /

noun

physical or mental exertion, usually considerable when unqualified
the rock was moved with effort
a determined attempt
our effort to save him failed
achievement; creation
a great literary effort
physics an applied force acting against inertia

effort

/ ĕf′ərt /

Force applied against inertia.
The force needed by a machine in order to accomplish work on a load.
Compare load

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Derived Forms

ˈeffortful, adjective

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Other Words From

counter·effort noun
over·effort noun
pre·effort noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of effort¹

First recorded in 1480–90; from Middle French, from Old French esfort, esforz, derivative of esforcier “to force” ( es- ex- ¹ + forcier force )

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Word History and Origins

Origin of effort¹

C15: from Old French esfort, from esforcier to force, ultimately from Latin fortis strong; see force ¹

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Idioms and Phrases

see all out (effort) ; last-ditch effort .

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Synonym Study

Effort, application, endeavor, exertion imply actions directed or force expended toward a definite end. Effort is an expenditure of energy to accomplish some objective: He made an effort to control himself. Application is continuous effort plus careful attention: constant application to duties. Endeavor means a continued and sustained series of efforts to achieve some, often worthy and difficult, end: a constant endeavor to be useful. Exertion is the vigorous and often strenuous expenditure of energy, frequently without an end: out of breath from exertion.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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