affect

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meaning in plain English

To change or touch someone or something in a way that makes a difference.

Picture a ripple in water—when you toss a stone, it will affect everything around it.

for example

The way she smiled at me really affected how I felt all day.

If something affects you, it leaves a mark on you, even if you don’t notice it right away. Why does a single kind word sometimes stick with you for years? Because it affected you more than you realized.