noun
affectation
af-ek-TAY-shun/ˌæfekˈteɪʃn/
Unnatural behavior, speech, or style adopted to impress others.
The exaggerated raised little finger is an affectation meant to impress others.
Etymology
“Striving after” became a word for studied display. The connection is deliberate effort to assume a character or manner, yielding the sense of an artificial mannerism rather than spontaneous behavior.
In context
whose true qualities are not courtesy and politeness but a hypocritical affectation of them a assumed to obtain a footing in society
More examples
- She spoke plainly, without any affectation.
- The critic found the actor's gestures full of affectations.
- Wearing gloves indoors was one of his more noticeable affectations.
Forms
affectation · affectations
affected adjective — Artificial in manner or intended to impress.
Similar words
- pretense
- Can involve any false appearance, not just manner or style.
- mannerism
- May be an unconscious habit rather than an adopted display.