Adjective effective has 6 senses
  1. effective, effectual, efficacious - producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect; "an air-cooled motor was more effective than a witch's broomstick for rapid long-distance transportation"-LewisMumford; "effective teaching methods"; "effective steps toward peace"; "made an effective entrance"; "his complaint proved to be effectual in bringing action"; "an efficacious law"
    Antonyms: ineffective, uneffective, ineffectual, toothless, unproductive
  2. effective, efficient - able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively; "people who will do nothing unless they get something out of it for themselves are often highly effective persons..."-G.B.Shaw; "effective personnel"; "an efficient secretary"; "the efficient cause of the revolution"
    Antonym: incompetent (indirect, via competent)
  3. effective - works well as a means or remedy; "an effective reprimand"; "a lotion that is effective in cases of prickly heat"
    Antonym:
    inefficacious (indirect, via efficacious)
  4. effective, good, in effect, in force - exerting force or influence; "the law is effective immediately"; "a warranty good for two years"; "the law is already in effect (or in force)"
    Antonym: inoperative (indirect, via operative)
  5. effective - existing in fact; not theoretical; real; "a decline in the effective demand"; "confused increased equipment and expenditure with the quantity of effective work done"
    Antonyms:
    potential, possible (indirect, via actual)
  6. effective - equipped and ready for service; "the fort was held by about 100 effective soldiers"
    Antonym:
    nonoperational (indirect, via operational)
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