affair

Meaning

  1. (in-plural, often) 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. (archaic, slang) The (male or female) genitals.

Synonyms

matter
A1
business
A1
case
A1
thing
A1

business deal

concern
B1
event
B1
subject
B1
work
A1
incident
B1
liaison
C2
relationship
A2

affaire

amour
24k
story
A1
duty
B1
issue
B1
object
B2
activity
B2
news
A1
📰
article
B2
circumstance
C2
topic
C1
occasion
B2
cause
A1
errand
C1
occurrence
C2
job
A1
word
A1
responsibility
B1
happening
A2
love affair
function
B2
gala
C2
transaction
C2
chore
20k
condition
B1
task
B2
stuff
A1
state
A2
situation
A2
charge
A2

social function

statement
B1
occupation
C1
operation
B1
question
A1
❓
item
B2
involvement
C1
adultery
C2
Translations

affaire
asunto
Angelegenheit
Sache
Affäre
affare
chose
negócio
zaak

υπόθεση

Ding
palabre
cosa
faccenda
afer
Frequency

B1
Pronounced as (IPA)
/əˈfɛə/
Etymology

Inherited from Middle English
afere
In summary

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.

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