effectual

UK: /ɪˈfɛktʃuəl/ US: /ɪˈfɛktʃuəl/ ,(i fek′cho̅o̅ əl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ef•fec•tu•al /ɪˈfɛktʃuəl/   adj. 

1. producing or capable of producing an intended effect;
   adequate:
   a social worker who is not effectual in dealing with teenagers.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ef•fec•tu•al  (i fek′cho̅o̅ əl), adj. 

1. producing or capable of producing an intended effect;
   adequate.
2. valid or binding, as an agreement or document.

• Medieval Latin effectuālis, equivalent. to Latin effectu-, stem of effectus effect + -ālis -al¹
• Anglo-French), late Middle English effectual
• Middle English effectuel (1350–1400

ef•fec′tu•al•ly, adv. 
ef•fec′tu•al•ness, ef•fec′tu•al′i•ty, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. See effective. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

effectual / ɪˈfɛktjʊəl/ adjective

1. capable of or successful in producing an intended result; effective
2. (of documents, agreements, etc) having legal force

efˌfectuˈality, efˈfectualness noun