- 1[often passive] affect somebody/something to produce a change in someone or something How will these changes affect us? Your opinion will not affect my decision. The south of the country was worst affected by the drought.
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- 2[often passive] affect somebody/something (of a disease) to attack someone or a part of the body; to make someone become sick The condition affects one in five women. Rub the ointment into the affected areas.
- 3affect somebody [often passive] to make someone have strong feelings of sadness, anger, etc. They were deeply affected by the news of her death. Try not to let his problems affect you too much.
- 4affect (to do) something (formal) to pretend to be feeling or thinking something She affected a calmness she did not feel.
- 5affect something (formal) (disapproving) to use or wear something that is intended to impress other people synonym put on I wish he wouldn't affect that ridiculous accent.
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NAmE//əˈfɛkt//
Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they affect he / she / it affects
past simple affected
-ing form affecting
- affectverb = “to have an influence on someone or something”:Does television affect children’s behavior?It is not a noun.
- effectnoun = “result, influence”:Does television have an effect on children’s behavior?
- effectverb is formal and means “to achieve or produce”:The negotiators hope to effect a reconciliation. Governments have the tools to use to effect change.
Check pronunciation: affect