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affect
1[uh-fekt, af-ekt]
verb (used with object)
to act on; produce an effect or change in.
Cold weather affected the crops.
Synonyms: , , ,to impress the mind or move the feelings of.
The music affected him deeply.
Synonyms: ,(of pain, disease, etc.) to attack or lay hold of.
noun
Psychology.feeling or emotion.
Psychiatry.an expressed or observed emotional response.
Restricted, flat, or blunted affect may be a symptom of mental illness, especially schizophrenia.
Obsolete.affection; passion; sensation; inclination; inward disposition or feeling.
affect
2[uh-fekt]
verb (used with object)
to give the appearance of; pretend or feign.
to affect knowledge of the situation.
to assume artificially, pretentiously, or for effect.
to affect a Southern accent.
to use, wear, or adopt by preference; choose; prefer.
the peculiar costume he affected.
to assume the character or attitude of.
to affect the freethinker.
(of things) to tend toward habitually or naturally.
a substance that affects colloidal form.
(of animals and plants) to occupy or inhabit; live in or on.
Lions affect Africa. Moss affects the northern slopes.
Archaic.
to have affection for; fancy.
to aim at; aspire to.
verb (used without object)
Obsolete.to incline, tend, or favor (usually followed byto ).
He affects to the old ways.
affect
1/ əˈɛ /
verb
to put on an appearance or show of; make a pretence of
to affect ignorance
to imitate or assume, esp pretentiously
to affect an accent
to have or use by preference
she always affects funereal clothing
to adopt the character, manner, etc, of
he was always affecting the politician
(of plants or animals) to live or grow in
penguins affect an arctic climate
to incline naturally or habitually towards
falling drops of liquid affect roundness
affect
2verb
to act upon or influence, esp in an adverse way
damp affected the sparking plugs
to move or disturb emotionally or mentally
her death affected him greatly
(of pain, disease, etc) to attack
noun
psychol the emotion associated with an idea or set of ideas See also affection
Confusables Note
Other Word Forms
- affectable adjective
- affectability noun
- affecter noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of affect1
Word History and Origins
Origin of affect1
Origin of affect2
Synonym Study
Example Sentences
The report details the sectors that will be affected by deportations, which include food processing, agriculture, healthcare, social services, retail, leisure and hospitality.
This has caused some discomfort in Delhi's diplomatic circles but analysts believe it's too early to say whether this will affect ongoing trade deal talks between Washington and Delhi.
It said that the cost of plane tickets fell compared with a large rise last year "as the timing of Easter and school holidays affected pricing".
"That's really concerning because this virus can affect everybody and we want everybody to be vaccinated so they can be protected," she said.
It’s not just heatwaves - climate change is affecting tourism in other ways too.
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When To Use
Affect is most commonly used as a verb meaning to act on or produce a change in someone or something. Effect is most commonly used as a noun meaning a result or consequence.Remembering the difference between the words can be especially hard because these senses of the words have just about the same pronunciation. Complicating things further is the fact that affect can also be used as a noun (referring to a state of emotion, as in He had a sad affect) and effect can also be used as a verb (meaning to make happen, as in We can only effect change by taking action). However, these senses of the words are much less commonly used.You can remember that affect is most commonly used as a verb because it begins with a, for action.You can also remember how affect and effect are most commonly used by using the acronym RAVEN:R = RememberA = Affect is aV = VerbE = Effect is aN = NounHere’s an example of affect and effect used correctly in the same sentence.Example: It’s unclear what immediate effects the new law will have or how it will affect future generations.Want to learn more? Read the full breakdown of the difference between affect and effect.
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