affair
affair
Pronunciation
affair /əˈfɛər/
First Syllable: /ə/
/ə/ - schwa sound (like the 'a' in "sofa")
Second Syllable: /fɛər/
/f/ - voiceless labiodental fricative (like the 'f' in "fan")
/ɛ/ - open-mid front unrounded vowel (like the 'e' in "bet")
/ər/ - r-colored vowel (like the 'er' in "butter")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: affair
Plural Noun: affairs
(Note: "Affair" does not have common verb, adjective, or adverb forms directly derived from this spelling and meaning.)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A secret romantic or sexual relationship, often one that occurs between individuals who are married or committed to others.
Synonyms: liaison, dalliance, entanglement, tryst, fling, romance (illicit)
Antonyms: fidelity, commitment, loyalty, faithfulness, monogamy
Definition 2: A matter, business, or public concern; a set of events or circumstances, especially those of a particular kind.
Synonyms: matter, issue, concern, business, event, incident, situation, proceeding
Antonyms: (Context-dependent, often no direct antonym as it refers to a general concept. Could be considered a lack of involvement or concern.)
Definition 3: A social gathering or public event, especially a large or formal one.
Synonyms: party, function, gathering, event, occasion, reception, gala
Antonyms: solitude, isolation, seclusion, privacy
Examples of Use
Books: "Elizabeth Bennet, however, had by this time learnt to think of nothing but Nethefield, and the probability of their removing into Hertfordshire soon after it had been quitted by the present possessors, was a favourite affair of her imagination." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, published January 1813)
Newspapers: "The mayor's office responded to questions about the ongoing budget affair, stating that all expenditures were within legal guidelines." (The New York Times)
Online Publications: "New details emerged this week regarding the alleged extramarital affair that led to the high-profile divorce." (E! News Online)
Entertainment Mediums (Film Dialogue): "It's not just a casual affair, is it? You're actually in love with him." (Dialogue from a romantic drama film, Past Lives)
Entertainment Platforms (Television Series Description): "This historical drama delves into the political affairs and romantic entanglements of the British monarchy." (Netflix series description, "The Crown," premiered November 2016)
General Public Discourse: "The whole housing market affair is really concerning, with prices continuing to climb out of reach for many." (Heard in a radio talk show discussion)
General Public Discourse: "Did you hear about Sarah's party? It was quite the elegant affair." (Casual conversation among friends)
10 Quotes Using Affair
"For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move." (Robert Louis Stevenson)
"If we listened to our intellect, we'd never have a love affair. We'd never have a friendship. We'd never go into business, because we'd be cynical. Well, that's nonsense. You've got to jump off cliffs all the time and build your wings on the way down." (Ray Bradbury)
"Romantic love is an illusion. Most of us discover this truth at the end of a love affair or else when the sweet emotions of love lead us into marriage and then turn down their flames." (Thomas Moore)
"A man's dying is more his survivor's affair than his own." (Thomas Mann)
"Let your religion be less of a theory and more of a love affair." (Gilbert K. Chesterton)
"The only love affair I have ever had was with music." (Maurice Ravel)
"Hatred is an affair of the heart; contempt that of the head." (Arthur Schopenhauer)
"An extraordinary affair. I gave them their orders and they wanted to stay and discuss them." (Duke of Wellington)
"Success is a public affair. Failure is a private funeral." (Rosalind Russell)
"The perfect love affair is one which is conducted entirely by post." (George Bernard Shaw)
Etymology
The word "affair" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It originally comes from the Old French phrase "à faire," which literally means "to do." So, the very first known use of "affair" in English, around the early 14th century, referred to "what one has to do" or "ordinary business." Think of it as a general term for tasks, concerns, or matters that needed attention. For example, someone might have said, "I have many affairs to attend to today," meaning they had a lot of business or things to take care of.
Over time, its meaning broadened to include any kind of event, situation, or even an object (often vaguely described). The specific sense of a "secret romantic or sexual relationship" is a much later development, really only becoming common from the 18th century onwards. This particular meaning likely came from the French phrase "affaire de cœur," meaning "affair of the heart."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Affair
A sorry affair: A regrettable or unfortunate situation.
A grand affair: A large, elaborate, or important event.
An affair of the heart: A romantic relationship or emotional matter.
To put one's affairs in order: To organize one's personal business, especially before a significant event like death.
To make a public affair of something: To discuss or reveal a private matter openly.
An ill-fated affair: A romantic relationship or enterprise that ends badly.
A family affair: An event or business involving only family members, or one that is handled within the family.
That's your affair: That's your business or concern; it doesn't involve me.
An affair of state: A matter of national importance or government business.
To have an affair: To engage in a secret romantic or sexual relationship outside of an existing commitment.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of affair from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
