affectation
an effort to appear to have a quality not really or fully possessed; the pretense of actual possession: an affectation of interest in art; affectation of great wealth.
conspicuous artificiality of manner or appearance; effort to attract notice by pretense, assumption, or any assumed peculiarity.
a trait, action, or expression characterized by such artificiality: a man of a thousand affectations.
Obsolete.
strenuous pursuit, desire, or aspiration.
affection; fondness: his affectation of literature.
Origin of affectation
1Other words for affectation
| 1 | appearance, facade, pose, pretense, simulation |
| 2 | pretension, airs, mannerisms |
Opposites for affectation
| 2 | artlessness, simplicity, sincerity |
Other words from affectation
- non·af·fec·ta·tion, noun
Words that may be confused with affectation
- affectation , affection
Words Nearby affectation
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use affectation in a sentence
My growing affectation for him aside, Ethan Winters isn’t likely to enter the pantheon of great video game characters.
The real tragedy of Ethan Winters, Resident Evil’s ‘Village’ idiot | Gene Park | May 14, 2021 | Washington PostIt is the sort of affectation a bad man might pick up after too many viewings of “The Shining.”
Capitol rioters searched for Nancy Pelosi in a way that should make every woman’s skin crawl | Monica Hesse | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostCringe is only possible in a cultural and political moment like ours, when we have so effectively surrounded ourselves with those who share our affections and affectations.
She finds your old-fashioned affectations sweet, but more than that she craves what you have, the information you have carried in your body for so many decades.
He signed off with a certain affectation, an identifiable term, so I'm not using it here.
Carolyn Hax: She swiped right, and now it feels so, so wrong | Carolyn Hax | November 23, 2020 | Washington Post
What is a distinctive habit or affectation related to the writing process?
What is a distinctive habit or affectation of yours related to writing?
Fashion affectation, though, was lost on Liebling, whose military-issue slacks fit so loosely they flapped in the breeze.
The Story of the American Journalists Who Landed on D-Day | Timothy M. Gay | June 6, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTSaturn in your sign will keep things real, refining elements in your make-up that smack of affectation.
And he replied shortly, and with a slight charming affectation of pride: "I did without."
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettTo me the national affectation of piety and holiness resembles a white shirt put on over a dirty skin.
God and my Neighbour | Robert BlatchfordHer affectation of extreme youth was so absurdly ridiculous, that it made her appear older and uglier than she really was.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieAvoid affectation; it is the sure test of a deceitful, vulgar mind.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyHe is a stranger to affectation—that dangerous rock to the would-be wit; he is natural, and is witty without trying to be a wit.
Friend Mac Donald | Max O'Rell
British Dictionary definitions for affectation
/ (ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən) /
an assumed manner of speech, dress, or behaviour, esp one that is intended to impress others
(often foll by of) deliberate pretence or false display: affectation of nobility
Origin of affectation
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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