special effect

noun

: an image or sound that is created in television, radio, or movies to represent something real (such as an explosion) or imaginary (such as a monster)

a movie with spectacular special effects

Examples of special effect in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

McCarthy vamps it up as the conniving Ursula, going big but not too big — the one special effect that escapes the rest of the film’s soulless spectacle. —Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 May 2024

There is something charming, though, about seeing what is clearly just a man in a gorilla suit be played so straightforward and earnestly like a special effect. —James Grebey, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2024

The production of the tour is not wildly elaborate by contemporary standards, with Rodrigo’s charisma serving as special effect enough. —Chris Willman, Variety, 24 Feb. 2024

And the special effect of fluttering metal glitter, meant to represent the millions of monarch butterflies that return to Michoacan each year to wait out the winter, is visually stunning. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Dec. 2023

Whether this is a special effect or Fielder being candid with the world about his package, we are meant to view this as yet another example of Asher punching above his weight in marrying someone like Whitney. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 10 Nov. 2023

Like any special effect, whether or not a production is able to utilize this type of digital touch up typically comes down to time and budget. —Kirbie Johnson, Allure, 27 Oct. 2023

The use of prosthetic fat for a roughly 600-pound character created divisions among viewers, some of whom saw the film turning a human character into a special effect. —Ellen Gamerman, WSJ, 13 Mar. 2023