affectation

American  

[af-ek-tey-shuhn] / ˌæf ɛkˈteɪ ʃən /

noun

1. 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.

2. conspicuous artificiality of manner or appearance; effort to attract notice by pretense, assumption, or any assumed peculiarity.

   Synonyms:

   airs, pretension, simulation, pretense, pose, facade, appearance

   Antonyms:

   sincerity, simplicity

3. a trait, action, or expression characterized by such artificiality.

   a man of a thousand affectations.

4. Obsolete.

   1. strenuous pursuit, desire, or aspiration.

   2. affection; fondness.

      his affectation of literature.

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affectation British  

/ ˌæfɛkˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. an assumed manner of speech, dress, or behaviour, esp one that is intended to impress others

2. (often foll by of) deliberate pretence or false display

   affectation of nobility

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Other Word Forms

• nonaffectation noun

Etymology

Origin of affectation

First recorded in 1540–50; from Latin affectātiōn- (stem of affectātiō ) “a striving after,” equivalent to affectāt(us), past participle of affectāre “to strive after, feign” + -iōn- a suffix forming nouns; affect ², -ate ¹, -ion

Example Sentences

While Ross’ style undeniably calls attention to itself, the director is prescient enough to know that some will see his untraditional mode as a mere affectation.

From Salon • Dec. 13, 2024

Carroll proved long ago it’s not an act or affectation; it’s just who he is, for better or worse.

From Seattle Times • May 13, 2023

Walking, standing — everyday movements performed by dancers without affectation to create something new, a kind of pedestrian classicism.

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2023

A creature of social affectation, he’s lost touch with any artistic authenticity he might once have possessed.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2022

Rollins noted Brekker’s bare feet and prison clothes, the hands shorn of his legendary black gloves—a ridiculous affectation.

From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo