Affectation — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /ˌa-ˌfek-ˈtā-shən/ af·fec·ta·tion

Meaning & Definition of Affectation

Affectation (noun)

  1. speech or conduct not natural to oneself, an unnatural form of behavior meant especially to impress others
  2. the act of taking on or displaying an attitude or mode of behavior not natural to oneself or not genuinely felt
  3. a striving after

Affectation (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the quality or state of appearing or trying to appear more important or more valuable than is the case

    "a woman of great affectation at social gatherings"

    similar: affectedness, grandiosity, inflation, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness
    related: arrogance, bumptiousness, complacency, conceit, egotism, hauteur, imperiousness, pompousness, presumptuousness, pride, self-aggrandizement, self-assertion, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-consequence, self-glorification, self-importance, self-satisfaction, smugness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity, disdain, haughtiness, lordliness, snobbery, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority, confidence, presumption, self-assurance, self-confidence, sureness, boastfulness, braggadocio, aggressiveness, assertiveness, audaciousness, boldness, brassiness, cheekiness, cockiness, forwardness, impudence, insolence, rudeness, grandiloquence, flamboyance, flashiness, garishness, gaudiness, glitz, mummery, ostentation, ostentatiousness, show, showiness
    near: demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, humility, lowliness, meekness, modesty, bashfulness, diffidence, shyness, timidity, naturalness, sincerity

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Affectation

The most common words with a similar meaning to Affectation:

affectedness, grandiosity, inflation, pretense, pretension, pretentiousness

Related Words for Affectation

arrogance, bumptiousness, complacency, conceit, egotism, hauteur, imperiousness, pompousness, presumptuousness, pride, self-aggrandizement, self-assertion, self-assumption, self-conceit, self-consequence, self-glorification, self-importance, self-satisfaction, smugness, vaingloriousness, vainglory, vainness, vanity, disdain, haughtiness, lordliness, snobbery, snobbishness, superciliousness, superiority

Near Antonyms of Affectation

demureness, down-to-earthness, humbleness, humility, lowliness, meekness, modesty, bashfulness, diffidence, shyness, timidity, naturalness, sincerity

Origin & Etymology of Affectation

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French affectation, borrowed from Latin affectātiōn-, affectātiō "striving after, strained manner (in rhetoric)," from affectāre "to strive after, try to accomplish, pretend to have" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns affect:2

First known use: 1548

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Affectation

Frequently Asked Questions about Affectation

What does "Affectation" mean?

"Affectation" means speech or conduct not natural to oneself, an unnatural form of behavior meant especially to impress others. As a noun, it is defined as: speech or conduct not natural to oneself, an unnatural form of behavior meant especially to impress others.

What is another word for "Affectation"?

Other words for "Affectation" include affectedness, grandiosity, inflation, pretense, pretension and pretentiousness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Affectation" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Affectation"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Affectation". Common alternatives include affectedness, grandiosity, inflation, pretense, pretension and pretentiousness.

How do you use "Affectation" in a sentence?

Examples of "Affectation" in a sentence: "a woman of great affectation at social gatherings".

Is "Affectation" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Affectation" is a noun.

Is "Affectation" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Affectation" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Affectation"?

"Affectation" is pronounced /ˌa-ˌfek-ˈtā-shən/ and divided into syllables as af·fec·ta·tion.

What is the origin of the word "Affectation"?

"Affectation" comes from borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French affectation, borrowed from Latin affectātiōn-, affectātiō "striving after, strained manner (in rhetoric)," from affectāre "to strive after, try to accomplish, pretend to have" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns affect:2. First known use: 1548.