of a rate of interest: equal to the rate of simple interest that yields the same amount when the interest is paid once at the end of the interest period as a quoted rate of interest does when calculated at compound interest over the same period compare nominalsense 4
These three words cover some overlapping territory.
Efficient most often describes what is capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy. While the word can be applied to both people and things, it is far more commonly applied to things, such as machines, systems, processes, and organizations. The focus of the word is on how little is wasted or lost while the desired results are produced.
Effective typically describes things—such as policies, treatments, arguments, and techniques—that do what they are intended to do. People can also be described as effective when they accomplish what they set out to accomplish, but the word is far more often applied to things.
Proficient typically describes people, and it often is followed by the preposition at. If you are proficient at something, you are very good at it. You are, in fact, so good at doing it that you are unusually efficient when you do it. One can also be proficient in something, such as a language.
effective stresses the actual production of or the power to produce an effect.
an effective rebuttal
effectual suggests the accomplishment of a desired result especially as viewed after the fact.
the measures to stop the pilfering proved effectual
efficient suggests an acting or a potential for action or use in such a way as to avoid loss or waste of energy in effecting, producing, or functioning.
an efficient small car
efficacious suggests possession of a special quality or virtue that gives effective power.
a detergent that is efficacious in removing grease
Example Sentences
AdjectiveThese commercials were extremely effective as marketing tools, but we now know that chocolate swimming pools and candy-coating showers play no part in the manufacture of real M&M's. Instead, the ellipsoid chocolate centers of plain M&M's are formed by machines. David Owen, Atlantic, October 1988My feeling is that by waiting for the right moment to let rip, a film is infinitely more effective, especially with characters you have come to like. Clive Barker, in Cinefantastique, September 1987But Tammy's most effective remedy for stress, both then and now, was the same as Imelda Marcos's: shopping up a storm. "It's kind of a hobby to help my nerves," she explained … Jean Seligman, Newsweek, 8 June 1987 It's a simple but effective technique. He gave an effective speech.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Atlanta’s pass rush was effective against New Orleans, recording four sacks and eight quarterback hits. Adam Burkevsin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 The unit was particularly effective against the run, as the Spartans finished the game with just 54 rushing yards while averaging 1.9 yards per attempt. Tom Green | Tgreen@al.com, al, 11 Sep. 2022 Those who are vaccinated are at low risk, health officials have said, as getting three doses of the polio vaccine administered in the U.S. is at least 99% effective at preventing paralytic disease. Brianna Abbott, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 Polio vaccines are 99% effective against paralytic polio, which can be fatal in 2% to 10% of cases. Aria Bendix, NBC News, 9 Sep. 2022 Bivalent refers to how many variants the booster is effective against ― two, in this case. Sarah Ladd, The Courier-Journal, 8 Sep. 2022 Will the new booster be more effective against the omicron variant? Julie Washington, cleveland, 8 Sep. 2022 Ho says that based on his research, only one monoclonal antibody -- bebtelovimab -- continues to be effective against the circulating variants. Brenda Goodman, CNN, 7 Sep. 2022 The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized the use of new COVID-19 booster shots adapted to be effective against both the original coronavirus strain and the Omicron variant now accounting for most infections. Harold Maass, The Week, 1 Sep. 2022
Noun
In May Bloomberg reported that Nonkululeko Nyembezi had been appointed as Chairman-designate effective. Jasmine Browley, Essence, 11 Aug. 2022 The disarray resulted in Stephen Gange, Johns Hopkins University professor and executive vice provost for academic affairs, being named interim executive director of the program on Thursday effective immediately. Sabrina Leboeuf, Baltimore Sun, 5 July 2022 In a major coup for the Big Ten Conference, both the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and the University of Southern California (USC SC +2.7%) are jumping from the Pac 12 Conference to Big Ten effective with the 2024 season. Derek Baine, Forbes, 1 July 2022 Laurent Morali, president of Kushner Cos., will take over as chief executive effective immediately, the firm said. Peter Grant, WSJ, 19 Oct. 2021 California’s coronavirus dashboard showed an R-effective of 0.81 for San Francisco as of Wednesday. Kellie Hwang, San Francisco Chronicle, 9 June 2021 AstraZeneca is working with the Serum Institute, as is Novavax, whose vaccine looks to be ninety-six-per-cent effective. Sue Halpern, The New Yorker, 3 June 2021 One way is through applied topical insect repellent, the most (and arguably only) effective of which contain DEET. Larry Olmsted, Forbes, 28 Apr. 2021 But even for a team loaded at the position, the effective of Oregon’s ground game, especially in the second half, in its first two games is outlandish.oregonlive, 18 Nov. 2020 See More
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English effectif, borrowed from Late Latin effectīvus "producing a result, efficient," going back to Latin, "involving an end product," from effectus, past participle of efficere "to make, bring about, produce, carry out" + -īvus-ive — more at effect entry 1