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

Kansas City Call Building The Kansas City Call, founded in 1919, became one of the city’s most influential newspapers for the Black community while reporting on community affairs and advocating for civil rights. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Physical production, business affairs, casting, consumer insights, studio operations, music, and worldwide theatrical distribution will continue reporting to me, alongside Julie and Alana. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 20 Oct. 2026

Physical production, business affairs, casting, consumer insights, studio operations, music and worldwide theatrical distribution will report to Valenti, alongside Rapaport and Mayo. — Angelique Jackson, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026

Waiting for a shark to nibble on the line can be an hourslong affair. — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026

Phrases Containing affair

• love affair