affect
affect Lexical Profile
affect Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To have an influence on or produce a change in someone or something.
"Rising ocean temperatures directly affect marine ecosystems around the globe."
To touch the feelings of someone or move them emotionally.
"We were deeply affected by the heartfelt stories shared during the memorial service."
To infect, attack, or cause physical harm to a part of the body or a living organism (especially of a disease or condition).
"The damp weather tends to affect her joints and make mobility difficult."
To pretend to have or feel something, or to deliberately adopt a particular manner or style for artificial effect.
"Despite knowing the truth, he affected an air of complete surprise when the announcement was made."
• noun
An observable expression or subjective experience of emotion or mood, especially as evaluated in psychology and psychiatry.
"The clinician noted that the patient spoke with a flat affect throughout the interview."
Word Nuance & Usage
Frequently confused with 'effect': in everyday usage, 'affect' is primarily a verb meaning to influence, whereas 'effect' is primarily a noun meaning a result. As a noun, 'affect' (pronounced with stress on the first syllable) is restricted to technical contexts in psychology.
• Rhymes for affect
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 14th century from Old French and directly from Latin afficere ('to act upon, influence, or dispose'), formed from the assimilated prefix ad- ('to') and facere ('to make, do').