Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

efficacious

/ˌɛf.əˈkeɪ.ʃəs/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.55 in modern English

Syllables
ef-fi-ca-cious
IPA
/ˌɛf.əˈkeɪ.ʃəs/
21
Scrabble Score
11
Letters
4
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Old French efficacieux (whence -acious), from Latin efficāx (“efficacious”) + -ous, from efficere (“to effect, to accomplish”); see effect.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˌɛf.əˈkeɪ.ʃəs/
  • British English: /ˌɛf.ɪˈkeɪ.ʃəs/

Usage

Inflected Forms

more efficacious (comparative) most efficacious (superlative)

Derived Forms

Frequently Paired Words

Synonyms

Antonyms

Rhymes With

Questions

How do you pronounce efficacious?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˌɛf.əˈkeɪ.ʃəs/.
What does efficacious mean?
Effective; possessing efficacy.
Where does efficacious come from?
It is traced to Old French.

How to pronounce efficacious

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “efficacious”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˌɛf.əˈkeɪ.ʃəs/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “efficacious”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “efficacious” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.