effort

Definitions

ef- (a form of ex-, 'out') + fort ('strength') = to put your strength out. An effort is strength directed outward toward a task. The word turns the abstract idea of 'trying' into something physical — you push your force out into the world.

Why It Means This

Effort hides the root for 'strength' (fortis). ex- ('out') + fortis literally means 'a putting-out of strength.' So when you 'make an effort,' you are — etymologically — pushing your inner force outward toward a goal. That is exactly why effortless means the opposite: something done with no strength pushed out at all.

Common Collocations

• 1.make an effort努力，下功夫
• 2.put in effort投入精力
• 3.worth the effort值得费这力气
• 4.team effort团队协作
• 5.last-ditch effort最后的努力

Example Sentences

• 1.

  It took a lot of effort to finish the project on time.

• 2.

  She made a real effort to be friendly to the new students.

• 3.

  Their rescue efforts continued through the night.