affectation

CEFRC2

/ˌæf.ɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/

noun

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    Behavior that is not natural and is used to impress others.

  2. 02

    noun

    Extra detail

    An ostentatious fondness for something.

Examples

  • I don’t see any content in his statements besides clowning, affectation, and pretentiousness.

  • [T]hey were not the spoiled children of affectation and refinement, but a bold, vigorous, independent race of thinkers, with prodigious strength and energy, with none but natural grace, and heartfelt unobtrusive delicacy.

At a glance

Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
4
Parts of speech
1
Citations
4
Synonyms
3

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings
  1. An unusual mannerism.

  2. An attempt to assume or exhibit what is not natural or real; false display; artificial show.

More examples

In context
  • This poem is strongly tinctured with those pedantic affectations concerning the passion of love ...

  • Her upper part of decent diſcipline / Shew’d affecation of an ancient line: / And fathers, councils, church and churches head, / Were on her reverend Phylacteries read.

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

His fake British accent was just an blank; he actually grew up in Texas.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

From Middle French affectation and its etymon Latin affectātiōnem, from affectō (“to feign”). By surface analysis, affect + -ation.