Efficacy Meaning and Definition
Efficacy
Pronunciation
/ˈɛfɪkəsɪti/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
The quality or state of being effective or productive in achieving a desired outcome or result.
Examples
- The new policy has improved the efficacy of the company’s marketing efforts.
- The study found that the medication had a significant efficacy in treating the disease.
Synonyms
- Effectiveness
- Efficiency
Antonyms
- Ineffectiveness
- Irrationality
Etymology
The word “efficacy” comes from the Latin “efficacia,” meaning “power” or “force,” and is derived from the verb “efficere,” meaning “to do” or “to bring about.”
Usage Notes
Efficacy is often used in academic and scientific contexts to describe the effectiveness of a treatment, product, or procedure. It can also be used in everyday language to describe something that is effective or productive.
Cultural References
Efficacy has been mentioned in various books, such as “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey and “The Efficacy of Prayer” by Richard Dawkins.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
Say “a means to an end” or “the means to an end” instead of “efficacy.”
Related Words or Phrases
- Effectiveness
- Efficiency
- Productivity
- Impact
Collocations
- high efficacy
- efficacy study
- efficacy rating
Frequency of Use
Efficacy is a relatively infrequent word in everyday language, but it is commonly used in academic and scientific contexts.
Common Misspellings
- Effectivity
- Efficiently
- Efficiently