cause and effect
noun phraseUK /ˌkɔːz ən ɪˈfekt/
US /ˌkɔːz ən ɪˈfekt/
Cause and effect is when one thing makes another thing happen.
The teacher explained cause and effect using the story of the boy who forgot his umbrella and got wet.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A way of thinking that links why something happened to what happened.
Scientists look for cause and effect when they study storms.
3. A pattern in stories where one event leads to the next.
The movie's plot is easy to follow because of its clear cause and effect.
4. A relationship where one change always brings about another change.
In the experiment, students observed cause and effect between heat and melting ice.