Effective | Vocabulary | Khan Academy

TL;DR

Effective is an adjective meaning successful or good at something.

Transcript

• [David] This one's gonna work like a charm, wordsmiths, because the word we're featuring in this video is effective. Effective, it's an adjective meaning successful, good at something. The etymology, the derivation of this word helps explain it, I think. Three Latin parts. First one, "ef" is a modified form of ex, meaning out. The second one, "fe... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 The word "effective" has a Latin origin, combining different parts to convey its meaning.
• 🥰 Words containing the prefixes "eff" or "fect" and the suffix "ive" can be related to the concept of being effective.
• ❓ Being effective can have positive outcomes, such as successful marketing campaigns.
• 🥺 Effective actions can also lead to negative consequences, like the downfall of unethical businesses.
• ⚾ The effectiveness of something is based on its ability to produce desired outcomes.
• 👾 Nouns formed with the suffix "ory" can describe places or spaces associated with production.
• 🫗 Pouring out and mixing are related concepts to being effective.

Questions & Answers

Q: What does the word "effective" mean?

"Effective" is an adjective that describes something as successful or good at achieving a goal or producing results.

Q: Where does the word "effective" come from?

The word has three Latin parts, with "ef" meaning out, "fect" meaning to make, and "ive" being an adjective-forming suffix.

Q: What are some related words to "effective"?

Some related words include "effusive," meaning pouring out, "confection," meaning a mixture, and "factory," meaning a place where things are made.

Q: Can you give examples of how being effective leads to outcomes?

One example is a marketing campaign that successfully attracts customers, as seen with the line stretching around the block. Another example is an article that exposed unethical practices, leading to a company going out of business.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The word "effective" comes from three Latin parts: "ef" meaning out, "fect" meaning to make, and the adjective-forming suffix "ive."

• Related words with the same prefixes or suffixes include "effusive," meaning pouring out, "confection," meaning a mixture, and "factory," meaning a place where things are made.

• Being effective can lead to successful outcomes, as shown in examples of a marketing campaign and an article exposing unethical practices.