affected

¹

[uh-fek-tid]

adjective

1. acted upon; influenced.

2. influenced in a harmful way; impaired, harmed, or attacked, as by climate or disease.

3. (of the mind or feelings) impressed; moved; touched.

   She was deeply affected by their generosity.

affected

²

[uh-fek-tid]

adjective

1. assumed artificially; unnatural; feigned.

   affected sophistication; an affected British accent.

2. assuming or pretending to possess that which is not natural.

   Her affected wealth and social pedigree are so obviously false that it's embarrassing.

3. inclined or disposed.

   well affected toward the speaker's cause.

4. held in affection; fancied.

   a novel much affected by our grandparents.

affected

¹

/ əˈfɛktɪd /

adjective

1. behaving, speaking, etc, in an artificial or assumed way, esp in order to impress others

2. feigned

   affected indifference

3. archaic,  inclined; disposed

affected

²

/ əˈfɛktɪd /

adjective

1. deeply moved, esp by sorrow or grief

   he was greatly affected by her departure

2. changed, esp detrimentally

Other Word Forms

• affectedly adverb
• affectedness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of affected¹

First recorded in 1570–80; affect ¹ + -ed ²

Origin of affected²

First recorded in 1525–35; affect ² + -ed ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of affected¹

C16: from _affect ² + _-ed ²

Origin of affected²

C17: from _affect ¹ + _-ed ²

Example Sentences

Mr Turbeest acknowledged that offering wider relief would be impractical, given the vast number of businesses affected.

From BBC

"Those that prefer cold or survive on only a specialist diet are likely to be more affected."

From BBC

Symptoms of methanol poisoning are similar to a hangover, meaning it can be hard for a person to know if they have been affected.

From BBC

One of the agencies most affected by previous layoffs, the Food and Drug Administration, has indicated that it would be exempt from further cuts.

From Salon

Mr Brooks said: "Our priority now is to support those affected and protect the long-term future of the site."

From BBC

Related Words

• afflicted 
• concerned 
• damaged www.thesaurus.com
• distressed 
• impressed www.thesaurus.com
• overwhelmed 
• stirred www.thesaurus.com
• touched 
• troubled www.thesaurus.com