effort

Pronunciation: /ˈɛf.ɚt/

Reading level: medium

Estimated CEFR level: A2 — Elementary

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something
  2. noun use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  3. noun a notable achievement

Etymology

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).

In classic literature

Synonyms

attempt, endeavor, endeavour, try

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
activity
Narrower (hyponyms)
essay, seeking, best, contribution, mug's game, crack

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