Effort is the energy and hard work you put into doing something. When you make an effort, you're trying your best and giving focused attention to the task. A math problem that takes real effort requires concentration and persistence to work through step by step. An athlete who puts effort into practice improves steadily over time.

Effort matters in most situations. Two students might start a school year at the same skill level, but the one who puts in consistent effort will usually end up ahead. Teachers can see the difference between work that shows genuine effort and work that was rushed or careless.

The word often appears with modifiers that show how much energy someone invested: a great effort, a half-hearted effort, or minimal effort. When something requires considerable effort, it means the task demands serious work and concentration.

People respect effort because it shows character. Making an effort reveals that you care about the outcome and respect the people you're working with or for. Even when results fall short, honest effort earns recognition.