affair

[uh-fair] / əˈfɛər /

NOUN

matter or business to be taken care of; happening activity

Synonyms

STRONGEST

case employment event incident interest proceeding project question subject task thing topic transaction

STRONG

assignment avocation calling circumstance concern duty episode hap happening job mission obligation occupation occurrence profession province pursuit realm responsibility undertaking

WEAK

office function

Antonyms

STRONG

avocation entertainment fun hobby irresponsibility surrender

NOUN

illicit sexual relationship

Synonyms

STRONGEST

liaison relationship

STRONG

affaire amour fling intimacy intrigue love rendezvous romance

WEAK

carrying-on extracurricular activity goings-on hanky-panky playing around thing together two-timing

Antonyms

STRONG

dislike hate hatred

NOUN

party or celebration

Synonyms

STRONG

do entertainment function gathering reception shindig soiree

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Three years ago, “Vanderpump Rules” stars Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix split after nine years when Madix learned that Sandoval had been having an affair with their co-star and friend Raquel Leviss for seven months.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

The Vanguard option is the modern-day incarnation of the storied Vanguard 500 fund, which kicked off investors’ love affair with index investing in the 1970s.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

“The Monkey King” reception was a personal affair for Huang.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The trial in 2022 heard the discovery exposed married MacDowell's affair with MacRae, and that she had believed they would be meeting up for a weekend away before a planned move to Shetland.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

I gathered only that it would be a big affair.

From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya

affair

Example Sentences

Related Words