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DictionaryaffectInfluence
verb

affect

uh-FEKT/əˈfekt/

To produce a change in someone or something.

The strong breeze affects the tree, bending its branches and scattering leaves.

A strong breeze bends a tree and scatters its leaves, visibly affecting it.
Etymology
afLatinto, toward
+fectLatinto do, make

The literal idea is “to do something to”: acting on something rather than simply doing an action. The Latin verb already included exerting influence, directly connecting these pieces with producing a change.

In context

Muller Field Station3:58
it's injected and will start to affect the animals maybe respiratory system and kind of slow it down
Shrew Knew? Fascinating facts about shrews!

More examples

  • Even a small delay can affect the final result.
  • Her kindness deeply affected him.
  • We studied how noise is affecting children's sleep.

Forms

affect · affects · affected · affecting

Similar words

influence
Suggests shaping an outcome, sometimes gradually or indirectly.
alter
Emphasizes a resulting change in form, state, or character.