English Dictionary

Definition of “affected”

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1affected1 (əˈfɛktɪdPronunciation for affected1) 

Definitions

adjective (usually postpositive)

  1. deeply moved, esp by sorrow or grief  ⇒ he was greatly affected by her departure 
  2. changed, esp detrimentally

Word Origin

C17: from affectC17: from 1 + ² + -ed²

2affected2 (əˈfɛktɪdPronunciation for affected2) 

Definitions

adjective

  1. behaving, speaking, etc, in an artificial or assumed way, esp in order to impress others
  2. feigned  ⇒ affected indifference 
  3. archaic inclined; disposed

Alternative Forms

afˈfectedly adverb afˈfectedness noun

Word Origin

C16: from affect² + -ed²

1affect1

Definitions

verb

(tr)
  1. to act upon or influence, esp in an adverse way  ⇒ damp affected the sparking plugs 
  2. to move or disturb emotionally or mentally  ⇒ her death affected him greatly 
  3. (of pain, disease, etc) to attack

noun

  1. psychology the emotion associated with an idea or set of ideas See also affection

Word Origin

C17: from Latin affectus,  past participle of afficere  to act upon, from ad-  to + facere to do

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= influence, involve, concern, impact, transform, alter, modify, change, manipulate, act on, sway, prevail over bear upon, impinge upon
= emotionally move touch, upset, overcome, stir, disturb, perturb, impress on tug at your heartstrings

2affect2 (əˈfɛktPronunciation for affect2) 

Definitions

verb (mainly tr)

  1. to put on an appearance or show of; make a pretence of  ⇒ to affect ignorance 
  2. to imitate or assume, esp pretentiously  ⇒ to affect an accent 
  3. to have or use by preference  ⇒ she always affects funereal clothing 
  4. to adopt the character, manner, etc, of  ⇒ he was always affecting the politician 
  5. (of plants or animals) to live or grow in  ⇒ penguins affect an arctic climate 
  6. to incline naturally or habitually towards  ⇒ falling drops of liquid affect roundness 

Word Origin

C15: from Latin affectāre  to strive after, pretend to have; related to afficere to affectC15: from Latin to strive after, pretend to have; related to to 1

Usage examples

  • She couldn't understand why he had been so affected but she could appreciate the result.
    Stuart Harrison, LOST SUMMER (2002)
  • However, with the exception of property in affected areas, the country residential property market was very much'business as usual'.
    Country Life (2004)
  • Commuters using rail services on the north side of Dublin will be affected by work on the East Wall road bridge this weekend.
    Irish Times (2002)
  • It warned that about half of its 200 daily trains could be affected by the strike action.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • Furthermore, like Kafka, he had a laryngeal condition which affected his speech.
    Jim Leavesley, George Biro, THE MEDICAL MYSTERIES E-OMNIBUS (2001)

Commonness

All English words that begin with 'A'

Related Terms

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