effortful
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Requiring great physical or mental effort: Describes an activity, task, or process that demands significant exertion, energy, or concentration to perform or complete.
Usage
The adjective "effortful" is used to characterize an action or state that is not easy or automatic. It implies a conscious and strenuous application of force, willpower, or attention. It is often contrasted with actions that are "effortless."
Examples
- Adjective:
- Climbing the steep mountain was an effortful endeavor for the entire team.
- Learning a new language can be effortful, but it is very rewarding.
- For someone recovering from surgery, even walking can feel effortful.
Advanced Usage
- Cognitive Context: In psychology and neuroscience, "effortful" is frequently used to describe mental processes that require active control and concentration, such as "effortful control" (a temperament trait involving the ability to regulate one's impulses and emotions) or "effortful processing" of information.
- Children develop effortful control as they learn to inhibit inappropriate responses.
- Formal or Academic Tone: The word is more common in formal, academic, or descriptive writing than in casual conversation.
Variants and Related Words
- Effort (n): The physical or mental energy needed to do something.
- She put a lot of effort into her project.
- Effortfully (adv): In a manner requiring effort.
- He breathed effortfully after the sprint.
- Effortlessness (n): The quality of requiring no effort; ease. (This is the direct antonym concept.)
- The dancer moved with grace and effortlessness.
Synonyms
- Strenuous: Requiring or using great exertion.
- Arduous: Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
- Laborious: Requiring considerable time and effort.
- Taxing: Physically or mentally demanding.
Antonyms
- Effortless: Requiring no physical or mental exertion.
- Easy: Achieved without great effort; presenting few difficulties.
- Facile: Ignoring the true complexities of an issue; superficial. (Also can mean effortless, but often with a negative connotation of being too easy or simplistic.)
Related Phrases/Idioms
(Note: "Effortful" itself is not typically used in common idioms. The related noun "effort" is used instead.) - To make an effort: To try hard to do something. - He made an effort to arrive on time. - A concerted effort: A strenuous attempt made by several people working together. - Through a concerted effort, the community cleaned up the park.
Adjective
- requiring great physical effort