Meanings
comparative more effectually · superlative most effectually
- In such a way as to achieve a desired result; effectively; so as to have an effect.
They intrigued and slandered and hated each other only on that account, - but as to effectually lifting a little finger - oh, no.
1899 February, Joseph Conrad, “The Heart of Darkness”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume CLXV, number M, New York, N.Y.: The Leonard Scott Publishing Company, […], →OCLC, part I, page 2142 more examples
Though the captain had effectually demolished poor Partridge, yet had he not reaped the harvest he hoped for, which was to turn the foundling out of Mr Allworthy's house.
1749, Henry Fielding, chapter VII, in The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book IIHer quick eye detected the cause in a moment; Mr. Courtenaye had just entered the room, though he had not as yet perceived them. Indeed, the position in which Ethel stood effectually screened her from observation; and Henrietta thought she could not do better than stand as they were, thus giving her companion time to recover her outward composure.
1837, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Ethel Churchill: Or, The Two Brides. […], volume III, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, pages 9–10Synonyms: completely, effectively
Synonyms & antonyms
adverbIn such a way as to achieve a desired result; effectively; so as to have an effect.
More synonyms by meaning
adverbin an effectual manner
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
Translations
Italian efficacemente
- efficacementein such a way as to achieve a desired result
Spanish eficazmente
- eficazmentein such a way as to achieve a desired result
Swedish effektivt
- effektivtin such a way as to achieve a desired result
Cite this entry
effectually. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/effectually
“effectually.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/effectually. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “effectually,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/effectually.
Source: effectually on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.