Word
effortless
Phoneticsef·fort·less, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛfɝtɫəs/
UK/ˈɛfətləs/
Definition
adj. describing something that looks very easy to do, even if it is actually difficult. It shows that someone has a lot of skill or natural talent.
adj. appearing to require little or no physical or mental exertion. Often used to describe a performance or action that masks the underlying skill or hard work involved.
Examples
“She makes playing the piano look effortless.”
“The athlete won the race with an effortless stride, barely looking tired as he crossed the finish line.”
“The author's effortless prose hides the fact that she spent years meticulously editing every sentence to achieve such a natural flow.”
Examples
simple
“She makes playing the piano look effortless.”
contextual
“The athlete won the race with an effortless stride, barely looking tired as he crossed the finish line.”
complex
“The author's effortless prose hides the fact that she spent years meticulously editing every sentence to achieve such a natural flow.”
Usage
Typically used attributively before a noun or predicatively after a linking verb like 'seem' or 'look'.
Real-World Examples
“Learning new systems is not effortless , even when the change is ultimately for the better.” “When everything’s working smoothly, swallowing feels effortless, but it is one of the most complex actions the human body performs.” Etymology
From effort + -less.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/effortless