# affecting

/əˈfɛktɪŋ/ (US) · /ɐfˈɛktɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/affecting
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. emotionally moving

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

causing strong feelings, especially sadness, pity, or sympathy.

For teachers: evoking a strong emotional response, typically one of pathos, sympathy, or sadness.

- The old man told an affecting story about his childhood during the war.
- The documentary concludes with an affecting montage of the refugees' journey, leaving the audience in a state of contemplative silence.

Usage: Usually placed before the noun it describes.

### 2. influencing something

verb · CEFR B2

the -ing form of 'affect', meaning to cause a change in someone or something.

For teachers: the present participle of 'affect', meaning to produce an effect upon or to influence a particular outcome.

- The rising cost of fuel is affecting many small businesses in the area.
- The new environmental regulations are already affecting the way local manufacturers handle industrial waste and chemical runoff.

### 3. pretending or feigning

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal

pretending to feel or be something to impress others.

For teachers: the present participle of 'affect', meaning to assume a character, accent, or emotion artificially.

- He was affecting a British accent to sound more sophisticated at the party.
- By affecting an air of indifference, the negotiator managed to hide his desperate need to close the deal before the deadline.

## Examples

- The cold weather is affecting the plants.
- The new government policy is already affecting how small businesses manage their monthly taxes.
- While the immediate results were positive, scientists are still studying how the chemical might be affecting the local water supply over a longer period of time.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.