affectation
/ˌæf.ɛkˈteɪ.ʃən/
Group 6Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (noun)
- Behavior or speech that is artificial and designed to impress GRE
Example in Context
His constant use of obscure French phrases was an affectation that colleagues found more irritating than impressive.
Synonyms
pretenseactfacade
Etymology
Pretending to be something you're not — artificial behavior.
- affectare (Latin) — to pretend
Memory Aid
🌍Sounds like “affect a nation”
When you AFFECT A NATION, you might pretend to be a king — all for show!
Visual Association
🎭A person wearing a fancy mask, pretending to be someone important at a masquerade ball.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “affectation” mean on the GRE?
affectation (noun) means “Behavior or speech that is artificial and designed to impress”. His constant use of obscure French phrases was an affectation that colleagues found more irritating than impressive.
How to remember “affectation” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “affectation” sounds like “affect a nation”. When you AFFECT A NATION, you might pretend to be a king — all for show!
What are synonyms for “affectation”?
Common synonyms: pretense, act, facade.