affairs

Noun

affair (plural affairs)

1. (in plural, often) Something which is done or is to be done; business of any kind, commercial, professional, or public.
   • a difficult affair to manage

   Synonyms:

   matter, concern

2. Any proceeding or action which it is wished to refer to or characterize vaguely.
   • an affair of honor

   Synonyms:

   goings-on, happening, befalling, episode, instance, event, hap, incident, occasion, occurrence

3. An action or engagement not of sufficient magnitude to be called a battle.
4. A material object (vaguely designated).
   • He used a hook-shaped affair with a long handle to unlock the car.
5. An adulterous relationship, chiefly of a married person. (from affaire de cœur, affair of the heart).
   • When Martin's wife found out about his affair with her best friend, she asked for a divorce.
6. An otherwise illicit romantic relationship, such as with someone who is not one's regular partner (boyfriend, girlfriend).
   • Jerry's girlfriend said she wanted to go steady, but she was in an affair with one of his team-mates.

See all 9 meanings of affair