Synonyms of affair

affair

noun

ə-ˈfer 

1

as in romance

also affaire a brief romantic relationship

an affair between two singles spending the summer at the same beach resort

Synonyms & Similar Words

• romance
• fling
• intrigue
• liaison
• love affair
• love
• amour
• dalliance
• infatuation
• flirtation
• entanglement
• attachment
• hanky-panky
• idyll
• passion
• puppy love
• calf-love

2

as in event

a social gathering

the annual country club dance is a really fancy affair

Synonyms & Similar Words

• event
• party
• reception
• celebration
• bash
• blowout
• fete
• shindig
• dance
• gala
• function
• blast
• get-together
• binge
• ball
• formal
• supper
• fund-raiser
• occasion
• do
• benefit
• orgy
• prom
• symposium
• soiree
• masquerade
• bacchanal
• tea
• social
• bacchanalia
• clambake
• cocktail party
• shower
• stag
• tea party
• house party
• saturnalia
• housewarming
• mixer
• salon
• bake
• hen party
• icebreaker
• meet and greet
• kegger
• klatch
• kaffeeklatsch

3

as in production

something produced by physical or intellectual effort

the lead float in the parade was a pretty impressive affair, a giant eagle's head with equally huge wings

Synonyms & Similar Words

• production
• product
• work
• yield
• result
• output
• outcome
• labor
• fruit
• thing
• produce
• handiwork
• resultant
• object
• article
• commodity
• entry
• development
• merchandise
• effect
• aftermath
• issue
• goods
• consequence
• sequence
• wares
• sequel
• conclusion
• outgrowth
• offspring
• upshot
• corollary
• handicraft
• derivative
• offshoot
• line
• side effect
• spin-off
• handcraft
• by-product
• aftereffect
• residual

4

as in incident

something that happens

the whole affair from start to finish took a total of 15 minutes

Synonyms & Similar Words

• event
• incident
• thing
• circumstance
• episode
• occurrence
• occasion
• happening
• accident
• experience
• time
• adventure
• phenomenon
• hap
• coincidence
• crisis
• fluke
• news
• landmark
• page
• emergency
• turning point
• milestone
• freak
• deed
• achievement
• juncture
• happenstance
• feat
• co-occurrence
• tidings
• exploit
• happenchance
• milepost

5

as in matter

something to be dealt with

it's none of your affair whom I'm going out with tonight

Synonyms & Similar Words

• matter
• thing
• business
• problem
• issue
• crisis
• concern
• worry
• consideration
• emergency
• predicament
• trouble
• ball of wax
• juncture
• responsibility
• exigency
• flash point
• strait
• care
• crunch
• zero hour
• impasse
• deadlock
• hot water
• standstill
• halt
• pickle
• jam
• stalemate
• crossroad(s)
• spot
• head
• fix
• corner
• hole
• lookout
• pinch
• scrape

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of affair

Also serving as contributor will be Trevor Phillips, announced last month as the news division’s senior global affairs correspondent. — Jocelyn Noveck, Fortune, 29 July 2026

His lone start with the Crimson Tide was an early-season affair at USF in 2023 when Nick Saban benched Jalen Milroe. — Tom Layberger, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026

Latin Mafia includes Milton and his brothers Emilio and Mike, so this project has been a family affair. — Lucas Villa, Rolling Stone, 29 July 2026

Alford chairs the House Small Business Committee subcommittee oversight, investigations and regulations, and is the vice chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on military construction, veterans affairs and related agencies. — Jack Harvel july 28, Kansas City Star, 28 July 2026

Phrases Containing affair

• love affair