English Explanatory Dictionary

affair

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. 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. 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.
  9. The (male or female) genitals.

Pronunciation

/əˈfɛə/ /əˈfɛɹ/ /əˈfɛɚ/ En-us-affair.ogg /əˈfeː/ /əˈfe̝ə/ /əˈfiə/ /əˈfeɹ/ /əˈfɜː(ɹ)/

Word forms

affair affairs affaire

Etymology

From Middle English afere, affere, from Old French afaire, from a- + faire (“to do”), from Latin ad- + facere (“to do”). See fact, and compare ado.

Synonyms

matter concern goings-on happening affair befalling episode event hap incident occasion occurrence proceeding

Related words

liaison

Derived words

affair baby affairette affairless affair of honor affair of honour affair partner cyberaffair emotional affair have an affair love affair nonaffair Ugandan affairs
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