Laxi Dictionary

American Dictionary

Define dictionary terms easily in our powerful online English dictionary.

Searching for...

No matching words found

Try a different search term or browse the dictionary

Definition affect in American English

affect verb

[transitive] verb
/əˈfekt/
1

to change or influence something. If something affects something else, it has an effect on it

Example

Did the newspapers really affect the outcome of the election?

Example

It is known that poor housing significantly affects educational achievement.

Synonyms and related words
affect shape impact
1.1

to cause physical damage to something

Example

The disease affects many different organs of the body.

Example

The area has been badly affected by pollution.

Synonyms and related words
damage spoil mark
1.2

to have a strong effect on someone's emotions

Example

She had been deeply affected by her parents' divorce.

Example

My pleading didn't seem to affect him at all.

Synonyms and related words
affect provoke inspire
2

to behave as if you feel something that you do not or as if you are a type of person that you are not

Example

She affected a look of disinterest as she glanced at his newspaper.

Synonyms and related words
play along keep up pretend
Definition affect in American English