noun

affair

event, matter, liaison, scandal

The wedding was a beautiful affair.

The wedding was a beautiful affair.

He had an affair with his colleague.

He had an affair with his colleague.

It's a private affair, not your business.

It's a private affair, not your business.

a/an ((adjective)) affair a type of event The party was a grand affair.

to have an affair ((with sb.)) to have a secret romantic relationship She had an affair with her boss.

sb.'s affair someone's personal business That's his affair, not mine.

Synonyms: event, matter, issue, liaison, romance

From Old French 'à faire', meaning 'to do'. It signifies something 'to be done', hence a 'matter' or 'event'.

Think of 'a fair' as an event, but remember it can also refer to a secret romantic 'affair'. The connection to 'to do' helps remember its meaning of 'matter'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.