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

As a bilingual reporter who specialized in legal affairs, I was frequently consulted by the Spanish-language media to explain the fine points of the new laws and Thomas’ interpretation of them. — Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

The friendships that result aren’t necessarily vacation-only affairs. — Chloe Frost-Smith, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026

With the fragile state of affairs, some experts fear any Election Day complications could threaten the integrity of the vote. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Choosing the right glassware is a surprisingly personal affair, though. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 27 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing affair

• love affair