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View synonyms for affair

affair

[ uh-fair ]

noun

  1. anything done or to be done; anything requiring action or effort; business; concern:

    an affair of great importance.

  2. affairs, matters of commercial or public interest or concern; the transactions of public or private business or finance:

    affairs of state; Before taking such a long trip you should put all your affairs in order.

  3. an event or a performance; a particular action, operation, or proceeding:

    When did this affair happen?

  4. thing; matter (applied to anything made or existing, usually with a descriptive or qualifying term):

    Our new computer is an amazing affair.

  5. a private or personal concern; a special function, business, or duty:

    That's none of your affair.

  6. an intense amorous relationship, usually of short duration.
  7. an event or happening that occasions or arouses notoriety, dispute, and often public scandal; incident:

    the Congressional bribery affair.

  8. a party, social gathering, or other organized festive occasion:

    The awards ceremony is the biggest affair on the school calendar.



affair

/ əˈfɛə /

noun

  1. a thing to be done or attended to; matter; business

    this affair must be cleared up

  2. an event or happening

    a strange affair

  3. qualified by an adjective or descriptive phrase something previously specified, esp a man-made object; thing

    our house is a tumbledown affair

  4. a sexual relationship between two people who are not married to each other
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of affair1

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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of affair1

C13: from Old French, from à faire to do
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Example Sentences

From the outset, Perry’s focus on Ukraine had puzzled his colleagues in government, who say that he took a personal interest in the country’s affairs.

Despite much drum-beating on the topic, much of the public is still unaware that seasonal flu is a serious affair.

In her new role, Delaine Prado will report to Google’s SVP of global affairs, Kent Walker, an influential lawyer who has played a key role in guiding the company’s political and legal response to the numerous challenges it is facing.

From Fortune

There is overwhelming public support for making cocktails to go permanent, says Mike Whatley, vice president of state and local affairs for the National Restaurant Association.

From Fortune

Days earlier, he had admitted to being questioned in a federal investigation related to the 2016 presidential election, blaming the whole affair on “the deep state.”

From Fortune

But he elected instead to have a very visible affair with a music-hall star.

It is what I (sometimes) find endearing about the whole affair.

Literature in the 14th century, Strohm points out, was an intimate, interactive affair.

For Kirke it was being paid to pretend to play the oboe that heightened her affair with classical music.

Dinner was a baroque affair, on the beach, a warm breeze gently blowing.

And now, monsieur, if you will communicate to me the nature of your affair, you shall find me entirely at your service.

Their sin began on Holy Thursday, with so little secrecy and so bad an example, that the affair was beginning to leak out.

He was a boy of eighteen, aching over his first love affair; and she was divinely mothering him.

This information was balm to Louis, as it seemed to promise a peaceful termination to so threatening an affair.

And it might be a good idea for you to give your men a gentle hint to keep their mouths closed about this affair—all of it.

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