effective vs effectual vs efficient
Definitions
adjective
- ready for service
- works well as a means or remedy
- able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively
- producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
- existing in fact; not theoretical; real
Examples
On the ranges of Fort Devens, the troops were put through their paces on US weapons, from the stock-in-trade M16 assault rifle to the frighteningly-effective M249 SAW light machine gun.
Particulates and dust in Earth's atmosphere along the line of sight tend to absorb blue light more effectively than red light.
Thus, developing a vaccine directed against one or a few capsular polysaccharides may not be widely effective.
Definitions
adjective
- producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect
- having legal efficacy or force
Examples
They soon added a try when one of their strong running centres burst through some ineffectual tackling to score under the posts.
In all things, even till this instant, (being the utmost period of my life) I have evermore found my Fathers love most effectuall to me; but now it appeareth farre greater, then at any time heretofore: and therefore from my mouth, thou must deliver him the latest thankes that ever I shall give him, for sending me such an honourable present.
Persons must indeed be of very uncleanly habits, whose heads absolutely require the aid of this comb, as the brush alone sufficiently possesses the power of effectually cleaning the hair from scurf, dandriff, and dust, if constantly used.
Definitions
adjective
- being effective without wasting time or effort or expense
- able to accomplish a purpose; functioning effectively
Examples
Forbes: In terms of scale, the size of a bank for lending, is there a point where being bigger does not make you more efficient in lending?
The art of writing a good chess program is thinking of efficient short cuts through the search-space.
Making an efficient icebox was not as easy as we might now suppose.
