B1noun 1K

Effort

🇬🇧 UK /["/ˈefət/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/ˈefərt/"]/

Meaning of Effort

an attempt to do something especially when it is difficult to do

In simple words: The work you put into something to achieve a goal.

Effort in a sentence

• She put a lot of effort into her painting to make it perfect.
• With more effort, he could definitely improve his grades.
• The team won the match after a tremendous effort from all players.
• Even small efforts can lead to significant changes over time.
• It takes a lot of effort to learn a new language, but it is worth it.

How to use Effort

Use in both formal and informal settings. Avoid slang or overly casual contexts when discussing serious topics like work or study.

Grammar pattern

make + effort

Memory hint

Think of 'effort' as 'effort-ful' — putting energy into your goals.

Related words

Collocations with Effort

• ambitious
• big
• enormous
• make
• initiate
• launch
• come to nothing
• fail
• fall flat
• in an/​your effort
• through somebody’s effort
• your best efforts
• a reward for your efforts
• make every effort
• considerable
• hard
• constant
• amount
• demand
• need
• require
• go into
• with effort
• without effort
• a great deal of effort
• time and effort

Synonyms for Effort

• attempt
• exertion
• endeavor
• striving
• hard work

Opposites of Effort

• laziness
• apathy
• indifference

Common mistakes with Effort

• Confused with 'effortless'; don't assume effort means easy.
• Using 'effort' as a verb; it is only a noun.
• Misplacing 'effort' in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing.

Frequently asked questions about Effort

What does Effort mean?

The work you put into something to achieve a goal.

What is the definition of Effort?

an attempt to do something especially when it is difficult to do

How do you use Effort in a sentence?

She put a lot of effort into her painting to make it perfect.

Can you give another example of Effort?

With more effort, he could definitely improve his grades.

What are synonyms for Effort?

Common alternatives include attempt, exertion, endeavor, striving, hard work.

What is the opposite of Effort?

Opposite meanings include laziness, apathy, indifference.

What words go with Effort?

It commonly pairs with ambitious, big, enormous, make, initiate, launch, come to nothing, fail, fall flat, in an/​your effort, through somebody’s effort, your best efforts, a reward for your efforts, make every effort, considerable, hard, constant, amount, demand, need, require, go into, with effort, without effort, a great deal of effort, time and effort.

What are common mistakes when using Effort?

Confused with 'effortless'; don't assume effort means easy. Using 'effort' as a verb; it is only a noun. Misplacing 'effort' in a sentence, leading to awkward phrasing.

How do you pronounce Effort?

US: /["/ˈefərt/"]/, UK: /["/ˈefət/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Effort?

Use in both formal and informal settings. Avoid slang or overly casual contexts when discussing serious topics like work or study.

What CEFR level is Effort?

"Effort" is at B1 level on the CEFR scale.