Meaning & use

affect

verb·Academic

To have an influence on someone or something, often producing a change.

See it in a sentence

The new policy will affect thousands of small businesses across the state.

Lack of sleep can seriously affect a person's concentration and mood.

A note on using this word

Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence, while 'effect' is usually a noun meaning the result; mixing them up is a common error.

Words with a similar meaning

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Make it your own

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