1
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
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
However, the boyfriend eventually had an affair with another girl.
—
Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
As Americans cast their votes, a Chinese Embassy spokesperson reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to respecting the United States' internal affairs, stating that China hopes to collaborate with the U.S. regardless of the election's outcome.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Liam was so loved by so many people, there will obviously be enormous demand and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2024
But the kind of welcome the superyacht community received during Red Sea Week was a one-time affair.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for affair 
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Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
As Americans cast their votes, a Chinese Embassy spokesperson reaffirmed Beijing's commitment to respecting the United States' internal affairs, stating that China hopes to collaborate with the U.S. regardless of the election's outcome.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024
Liam was so loved by so many people, there will obviously be enormous demand and so the service will necessarily be a huge affair.
—Lissete Lanuza Sáenz, StyleCaster, 5 Nov. 2024
But the kind of welcome the superyacht community received during Red Sea Week was a one-time affair.
—Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 5 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for affair
Articles Related to affair
Dictionary Entries Near affair
Cite this Entry
“Affair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affair. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
affair
noun
af·fair
ə-ˈfa(ə)r 
-ˈfe(ə)r
1
a
plural
: commercial, professional, public, or personal business
government affairs
arranged my affairs before leaving
b
: concern entry 2 sense 1, matter
not your affair at all
2
a
: event sense 1b, activity
a social affair
b
: product sense 2, thing
the house was a two-story affair
3
: a brief romantic relationship
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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