affair
uh-FEH-uh
Affair (noun) means a matter, event, or piece of business, especially one being discussed in a general or vague way. Example: “The whole affair was handled quietly to avoid embarrassment.”
noun
1
A matter, event, or piece of business, especially one being discussed in a general or vague way.
"The whole affair was handled quietly to avoid embarrassment."
"It turned into a messy legal affair that dragged on for years."
"I would rather not discuss the affair any further until we have all the facts."
2
A secret romantic or sexual relationship, especially involving someone who is already in a committed relationship.
"The scandal broke after his affair with a colleague came to light."
"She ended the affair once she realised how much it was hurting her family."
"Their marriage ended after she discovered that he was having an affair."
3
A social event, especially a formal or elaborate one.
"Their wedding was a lavish affair with three hundred guests."
"The office party is usually a fairly low-key affair."
"The charity ball was a glittering affair, with live music and a long dinner."
How to use affair
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLoosely, "a matter" or "a business"; in a narrower sense, a secret romantic relationship outside a marriage or partnership; also used for a social event.
Common mistake
Context decides the meaning — "state of affairs" is neutral, while "having an affair" specifically means cheating.
Common pairings
have an affair
a formal affair
a messy affair
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Word forms
- Plural
- affairs
Fill the gap
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The whole _____ was handled quietly to avoid embarrassment.
Etymology
From Old French a faire, "to do" — literally "(something) to be done" — going back to Latin ad + facere ("to do").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for affair
See all rhymes for affair →Frequently asked questions
What does “affair” mean?
The word “affair” means a matter, event, or piece of business, especially one being discussed in a general or vague way. In plain terms, loosely, "a matter" or "a business"; in a narrower sense, a secret romantic relationship outside a marriage or partnership; also used for a social event.
How do you pronounce “affair”?
“Affair” is pronounced uh-FEH-uh (/əˈfɛɹ/ in IPA).
How do you use “affair” in a sentence?
Here is “affair” used in a sentence: “The whole affair was handled quietly to avoid embarrassment.”
What part of speech is “affair”?
“Affair” is a noun.
Where does the word “affair” come from?
The word “affair” comes from Latin. From Old French a faire, "to do" — literally "(something) to be done" — going back to Latin ad + facere ("to do").
Is “affair” a common word?
“Affair” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “affair” have?
“Affair” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a matter, event, or piece of business, especially one being discussed in a general or vague way.
What is the difference between an 'affair' and an 'event'?
An "affair" is a vaguer, more general word for a matter, event, or piece of business, often used when details are left unspecified, as in "a private affair." An "event" is a more specific, usually planned or notable occurrence, so "affair" tends to sound looser.
What is the difference between 'affair' and 'affaire'?
"Affair" is the standard English spelling for both a general matter and a secret romantic relationship, while "affaire" is a French-influenced spelling occasionally used in English to stress the romantic or scandalous sense. In most writing "affair" is preferred.
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