affair

noun

af·fair | \ ə-ˈfer

Definition of affair

1a affairs plural : commercial, professional, public, or personal business handles the company's public affairs an expert in foreign affairs

b : matter, concern How I choose to live is my affair, not yours.

2 : a procedure, action, or occasion only vaguely specified also : an object or collection of objects only vaguely specified Their house was a 2-story affair.

3 or less commonly affaire

a : a romantic or passionate attachment typically of limited duration : liaison sense 2b had an affair with a coworker

b : a matter occasioning public anxiety, controversy, or scandal : case the Watergate affair of the early 1970s

Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about affair

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Examples of affair in a Sentence

After the war, the government focused on its own domestic affairs. They accused the U.S. of interfering in the internal affairs of other nations. How I choose to live is my affair, not yours. adulterous affairs between married men and single women

Recent Examples on the Web

The entire affair was over within 10 minutes, with little apparent resistance from guards. — Hallie Detrick, Fortune, "That Dramatic Helicopter Prison Escape Was Inspired by the Man Who Brought You 'Miami Vice'," 3 July 2018 His wife Misty and younger daughter Josie are living with oldest daughter, Lacey, who has been handling many of the affairs associated with the loss of a home. — Scott Springer, Cincinnati.com, "Midland Redskins pitch in to help Harrison coach Shawn Sowders," 22 June 2018 Nancy Sinatra left Frank after his affair with actress Ava Gardner became public knowledge. — John Rogers, BostonGlobe.com, "Nancy Sinatra Sr., first wife of Frank Sinatra, dies at 101," 14 July 2018 Nancy Sinatra left Frank after his affair with actress Ava Gardner became public knowledge. — John Rogers, chicagotribune.com, "Nancy Sinatra Sr., first wife of Frank Sinatra, dies at 101," 14 July 2018 Nancy Sinatra left Frank after his affair with actress Ava Gardner became public knowledge. — CBS News, "Nancy Sinatra Sr., Frank Sinatra's first wife, dead at 101," 14 July 2018 To Britons, this will smack of direct interference in their internal affairs — something this proud island nation is loath to tolerate. — Washington Post, "AP Analysis: Trump’s barbed comments upset British hosts," 13 July 2018 No one would have revealed his various affairs with women during his lifetime. — Lauren Ritchie, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Lake County owes Virgil Hawkins recognition and a thank you for role in civil rights struggle," 12 July 2018 WASHINGTON – Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh argued in 1998 that President Bill Clinton could be impeached for lying about his affair with Monica Lewinsky. — Richard Wolf, USA TODAY, "Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's views on executive power may stir controversy," 12 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'affair.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

History and Etymology for affair

Middle English aferes "activities," affaire "enterprise," borrowed from Anglo-French afaire, affere "business, activity, enterprise, matter, topic, situation," from the phrase a faire "to do," from a "to" (going back to Latin ad) + faire "to do," going back to Latin facere — more at at entry 1, do entry 1