Meaning of “affect” in the English Dictionary

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"affect" in English

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affectverb [ T ]

uk ​ /əˈfekt/ us ​ /əˈfekt/

affect verb [ T ] (INFLUENCE)

B2 to have an influence on someone or something, or to cause a change in someone or something:

Both buildings were badly affected by the fire.
The divorce affected every aspect of her life.
It's a disease that affects mainly older people.
I was deeply affected by the film (= it caused strong feelings in me).

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Grammar

Affect or effect?Affect is a verb meaning ‘influence or cause someone or something to change’: …

(Definition of “affect” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

"affect" in American English

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affectverb [ T ]

us ​ /əˈfekt/

affect verb [ T ] (INFLUENCE)

› to have an influence on someone or something:

The disease only affects cattle.
I was deeply affected by the film.

affect verb [ T ] (PRETEND)

› to pretend to be or have something:

Since joining the band he’s affected a ridiculous southern accent.

(Definition of “affect” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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affect

Secondly there is a lady within thirteen weeks of retirement who is desperate for news of a decision that will affect seriously her financial circumstances in old age.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
The problem is, we need public expenditure, we have the potential to generate public earnings which do not affect the productive structure or development of the economy or its competitiveness.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We also believe in the principle of subsidiarity, according to which decisions are to be made as close as possible to the people they affect.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Many of our fellow citizens are apprehensive about how all this will affect their daily lives - about its impact on employment, the environment, immigration and law and order.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
In that case it may mean that if part of a family has been granted asylum, that will affect the consideration of asylum for other members of the same family.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
We also believe in the principle of subsidiarity whereby decisions are to be taken as close as possible to those whom they affect.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Such conditions affect us all.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Addressing the issue of affordability of medicines should never exclude the focus on prevention efforts, nor negatively affect the debate on research and development.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
Macro-economic policy, employment policy and social policy all affect each other and this is why they should be brought more closely together.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English
However, it is a notoriously difficult area to enforce because of outside conditions, such as bad weather, that will affect the way fishermen operate.
From Europarl Parallel Corpus - English

Blogs about "affect"

Accept or except? Affect or effect? Spelling words that sound similar.

by Liz Walter,

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