Effort Comes From the Word for Strong
Effort is exertion towards a goal. The Latin root is strength, which is exactly what an effort spends.
Effort is vigorous exertion directed at a purpose. The word is built from Latin *fortis*, strong: to make an effort is to put strength into something. That root runs through *fortitude*, *fortify*, *comfort* and *force*, and it is why a musical *forte* is a loud passage and a person's *forte* is their strength.
- Exertion towards a goal. *A real effort.*
- An attempt. *A good effort.*
- Effortless — apparently easy. *An effortless victory.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | effort | Sustained effort. |
| Plural | efforts | Rescue efforts. |
| Adjective | effortless | Effortless style. |
| Adverb | effortlessly | Effortlessly done. |
| Related | fortitude | Great fortitude. |
How it is used in a sentence
- It took considerable effort.Uncountable here.
- A good effort.Countable: an attempt.
- Her forte is negotiation.Her strength.
Words from *fortis*, strong
- Effort — putting strength into something
- Fortitude — strength of mind
- Fortify — to make strong
- Comfort — to strengthen greatly
- Forte — a strength, and a loud musical passage
From French *effort*, from Old French *esforz*, from *esforcier*, from Vulgar Latin *exfortiare*, to show strength, from Latin *fortis*.
Are comfort and effort related?
Yes. Both build on Latin *fortis*, strong. To comfort someone was originally to strengthen them.
How is *forte* pronounced?
For a personal strength, traditionally FORT, one syllable. The two-syllable FOR-tay comes from the Italian musical term and is now common.