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affair
[ uh-fair ]
/ əˈfɛər /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
noun
VIDEO FOR AFFAIR
What Is The Origin Of The Word "Affair"?
When most people hear the word affair, they automatically clutch their pearls and assume it’s referring to some sexy form of infidelity. But, the origins of affair aren’t sexy at all.
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of affair
1250–1300; earlier affaire<French, Old French afaire for a faire to do, equivalent to a (<Latin ad to) + faire ≪ Latin facere; replacing Middle English afere<Old French
Words nearby affair
afebrile, a few, aff, affability, affable, affair, affaire, affaire d'amour, affaire de coeur, affaire d'honneur, affairs
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use affair in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for affair
affair
/ (əˈfɛə) /
noun
a thing to be done or attended to; matter; businessthis affair must be cleared up
an event or happeninga strange affair
(qualified by an adjective or descriptive phrase) something previously specified, esp a man-made object; thingour house is a tumbledown affair
a sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other
See also affairs
Word Origin for affair
C13: from Old French, from à faire to do
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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