affectation
gb/ˌæfɛktˈeɪʃən/ us/ˌæfɛktˈeɪʃən/
C1
Anglais
~ 8400
Sens
0 sens
Nom
formal
C1
entity
1
artificial behavior to impress
A way of speaking, acting, or dressing that is not natural, used to look important, special, or different.
Schéma d’usage :
an affectation of [emotion/attitude]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often confuse "affectation" with "affection." "Affectation" is fake behavior or style; "affection" is a warm, loving feeling toward someone. Also, learners sometimes think "affectation" is a verb like "affect"—it is only a noun.
Synonymes
pretentiousness (Stresses showing off or trying to seem more important or cultured than you are.)
|
artificiality (Focuses on being not natural or real, without always implying a desire to impress.)
Antonymes
naturalness (Describes behavior or style that is relaxed, real, and not put on.)
Collocations
without affectation
|an affectation of modesty
|an affectation of indifference
|literary affectation
|speech affectations
|social affectations
Thèmes
behavior
|personality
|communication
|social_life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- His British accent is just an affectation he picked up after a year abroad.
- She spoke with an affectation of modesty that fooled no one in the room.
- The novel is powerful, but some readers dislike its stylistic affectations.
- He wears old-fashioned hats as a kind of affectation to seem artistic.
- The restaurant’s rustic decor feels more like an affectation than a genuine design choice.
Exemples pédagogiques
- His deep, slow voice is an affectation, not his real way of speaking.
- She showed an affectation of indifference, but she really cared a lot.
- He uses long, rare words as an affectation to sound smart.
- The movie is good, but there are many affectations in the dialogue.
- She tries to act cool, but it looks like an affectation.
Nom
formal
C1
entity
2
unnecessary decorative feature
A small thing added to style, clothes, or writing that is not needed and is only there to look special or different.
Schéma d’usage :
an affectation in [writing/clothing/design]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may not realize this sense is a more specific use of the general idea of fake or showy style, often used for physical or stylistic details rather than whole behavior.
Synonymes
embellishment (Suggests a decorative addition, often more neutral and not always negative.)
|
flourish (Implies a showy extra detail; can be approving or disapproving depending on context.)
Antonymes
functional detail (Highlights a feature that has a clear practical purpose, not just style.)
Collocations
stylistic affectation
|fashionable affectation
|a mere affectation
|a minor affectation
|design affectations
Thèmes
art
|fashion
|writing
|design
|arts_entertainment
|clothing
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The tiny pocket on the jacket sleeve is purely an affectation and serves no purpose.
- Some critics see the book’s lack of capital letters as a needless affectation.
- The old typewriter on his desk is more of an aesthetic affectation than a useful tool.
- Her oversized glasses are a fashion affectation rather than something she needs to see.
- The architect avoided historical affectations and kept the design simple and clean.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The gold chain on the shoe is just an affectation.
- The writer’s strange spelling looks like an affectation, not a real rule.
- That small hat is an affectation; it does not protect him from the sun.
- He keeps an empty guitar case as an affectation to look like a musician.
- These design affectations make the room look busy and not comfortable.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
affectation
API
GB/ˌæfɛktˈeɪʃən/
US/ˌæfɛktˈeɪʃən/
Syllabes et accentuation
af - fect - a - tion (4 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (a)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: affectation
- Plural: affectation, affectations
Famille de mots
Forms
affectations
noun
Core family
affected
adjective
Related words
affect
verb B1
Negative and opposite forms
unaffected
adjective
Advanced or less common
affectedly
adverb
Expressions
an affectation of
1/ən ˌæfɛktˈeɪʃən əv/
fixed phrase
formal
false show of an emotion
A fake or put-on show of a feeling or attitude, such as modesty, sadness, or indifference.
Exemples
- His apology came with an affectation of humility that felt insincere.
- She greeted them with an affectation of surprise, though she had planned everything in advance.
without affectation
1/wɪðˈaʊt ˌæfɛktˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
in a natural, unforced way
To do something naturally and simply, not trying to impress other people and not acting in a fake way.
Exemples
- She spoke without affectation, and the audience trusted her immediately.
- The actor plays the role without affectation, making the character feel real.