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effort

n.
US //ˈɛfɝt// UK //ˈɛfət// ef·fort
  1. 1 physical or mental work (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    the energy and work you use to do something difficult.

    the physical or mental exertion required to perform a task or overcome an obstacle.

    Example

    It took a lot of effort to climb the steep hill with a heavy backpack.

    Example

    The project required a sustained mental effort from the entire team to meet the rigorous safety standards before the deadline.

    Usage

    Often used with the verb 'make' or 'put in'.

    Teacher's tip

    Learners often confuse this with 'work'; remind them that 'effort' focuses on the intensity or the try itself.
    Pitfall
    He did a lot of effort to pass.
    He made a lot of effort to pass.

    In English, you 'make' an effort, you do not 'do' an effort.

  2. 2 an attempt or project (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a particular attempt to do something, especially as part of a group.

    a conscious endeavor or a specific instance of trying to achieve a goal.

    Example

    The local school led the effort to clean up the neighborhood park.

    Example

    Despite a coordinated effort by the rescue services, the rising floodwaters made reaching the stranded hikers nearly impossible.

    Usage

    Often followed by 'to' + infinitive.
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  1. 3 physics/mechanics (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    the force used to move something.

    the force applied to a machine or body to produce a desired motion or result.

    Example

    The lever reduces the amount of effort needed to lift the heavy rock.

    Example

    In mechanical systems, the ratio of the output force to the applied effort determines the overall efficiency of the machine.

    Usage

    Used as a countable noun in technical contexts.

    Teacher's tip

    This is a specialized sense; general learners should focus on the 'exertion' meaning first.
Origin

From Middle French effort, from Old French esfort, deverbal of esforcier (“to force, exert”), from Vulgar Latin *exfortiō, from Latin ex + fortis (“strong”). Compare typologically Bulgarian усилие (usilie), Czech úsilí, Polish wysiłek, Russian уси́лие (usílije) (< Proto-Slavic *sila).

Word family
Idioms2 entries

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