the physical or mental energy you use when you do something
After a long climb, Maria smiled at the top of the hill, proud of the effort she had made.
It takes very little effort to offer a friendly smile to a stranger.
✦ Borrowed into Middle English from Old French ‘effort’, from Latin ‘ex fortis’ meaning ‘out of strength’, originally referring to physical power.
an act of trying hard to do something, especially something difficult
His first effort at baking bread tasted better than anyone expected.
Despite their best efforts, the team lost the final match.
a piece of work or result that someone has produced after trying hard
The painting is considered the finest effort of her career.
Please submit your written efforts by Friday for review.
the force applied to a machine to move or lift a load
In the experiment, students recorded the effort needed to lift a 10-kilogram weight using a pulley.
By lengthening the lever arm, less effort is required to raise the heavy crate.
in a way that needs little or no physical or mental effort; easily and smoothly.
The ballerina danced effortlessly across the stage.
He climbed the mountain effortlessly thanks to his training.
✦ Early 20th century: from effortless (late 18th century, from effort + -less) + -ly (suffix forming adverbs).
