Affectation

An affectation is a behavior, speech, or writing style adopted to impress or to appear more sophisticated than one truly is. It's a pretense of being something one is not, often marked by artificiality or exaggeration. Affectations can manifest in various ways, from adopting a peculiar accent or mannerisms to using overly formal language or showing a contrived interest in particular subjects. They are ultimately a form of self-presentation that feels insincere to others. The motivation behind an affectation might stem from a desire for social acceptance, a longing for status, or simply a lack of genuine self-awareness. However, repeated affectations can erode trust and authenticity, making genuine connection difficult. While sometimes harmless, they can often be perceived as irritating or even offensive, particularly when used to belittle or dismiss others.

Affectation meaning with examples

• She adopted a fake British accent, an affectation that immediately grated on everyone. Despite spending her life in the American Midwest, she peppered her speech with overly formal phrasing, displaying an air of artificial sophistication to impress new colleagues. They immediately saw through the pretension and thought her to be insincere.
• His constant use of obscure philosophical terms in everyday conversation was a clear affectation. He’d regularly interject lengthy discussions of Sartre at the dinner table, as a way to seem more intellectual than he felt. His genuine interests lay elsewhere, but this persona was cultivated to impress the book club members and project a specific image.
• The artist's affected indifference towards the success of her exhibition felt like an affectation. Secretly, she was incredibly invested in what others thought, but wanted to seem aloof and above any interest in popularity. She hoped to appear mysterious, but her stance was perceived as distant and arrogant by many people at the event.
• He wore tailored suits, a monocle, and always carried a cane, a whole set of affectations that made him look like an anachronism. His efforts to cultivate a vintage aesthetic came off as contrived, and, despite the obvious expense, everyone could sense the hollowness behind the image. His neighbors found the image to be cartoonish and artificial.
• Her frequent name-dropping of celebrities and expensive vacations felt like a blatant affectation. It was clearly a deliberate attempt to inflate her social standing and impress her new friends. Though she was actually quite poor, she hoped to seem wealthier and more glamorous and tried her hardest to impress everyone she met.