Affair

/əˈfɛə/ · noun

Meaning

(often in the plural) Something which is done or is to be done; business of any kind, commercial, professional, or public..

Definitions by Sense

1. (often in the plural) Something which is done or is to be done; business of any kind, commercial, professional, or public.
2. Any proceeding or action which it is wished to refer to or characterize vaguely.
3. (military) An action or engagement not of sufficient magnitude to be called a battle.
4. A material object (vaguely designated).
5. An adulterous relationship, chiefly of a married person. (from affaire de cœur, affair of the heart).
6. An otherwise illicit romantic relationship, such as with someone who is not one's regular partner (boyfriend, girlfriend).
7. A person with whom someone has an adulterous relationship.
8. A party or social gathering, especially of a formal nature.

Example Sentences

a difficult affair to manage

Responsibility is my affair, reciprocity is his.

There are a number of issues external to the institution that can influence the fiscal management of student affairs.

an affair of honor

an affair of love

The house was a ramshackle affair.

The Creole affair is important because, from the slaves' standpoint, the Creole affair was the most successful slave revolt in American history.

He used a hook-shaped affair with a long handle to unlock the car.

Synonyms for affair

Antonyms for affair

Related Words

Word Forms

• affairs
• affaire

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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