affair

Etymology

From Middle English afere, affere, from Old French afaire, from a- + faire (“to do”), from Latin ad- + facere (“to do”). See fact, and compare ado.

noun

1. (often in the plural) Something which is done or is to be done; business of any kind, commercial, professional, or public.
   a difficult affair to manage
   Responsibility is my affair, reciprocity is his. 1992, Zygmunt Bauman, Mortality, Immortality and Other Life Strategies, page 45
   There are a number of issues external to the institution that can influence the fiscal management of student affairs. 2011, George S. McClellan, Jeremy Stringer, The Handbook of Student Affairs Administration
2. Any proceeding or action which it is wished to refer to or characterize vaguely.
   an affair of honor ― a duel
   an affair of love ― an intrigue
   The Creole affair is important because, from the slaves' standpoint, the Creole affair was the most successful slave revolt in American history. 2014, Arthur T. Downey, The Creole Affair
3. (military) 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.
   The dinghy was trailing astern at the end of its painter, and Merrion looked at it as he passed. He saw that it was a battered-looking affair of the prahm type, with a blunt snout, and like the parent ship, had recently been painted a vivid green. 1944, Miles Burton, The Three Corpse Trick, chapter 5
5. An adulterous relationship (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.
   Mary had an affair with a woman from the gym.
   The emotions involved in affairs can seem like a rollercoaster ride – one moment sublime and exciting, the next full of guilt and confusion. Some people seem to enjoy the drama of these sorts of encounter, relishing the highs and lows. But for most people the experience of an affair can be difficult to manage - even if the affair eventually leads to a committed relationship. 2001, Julia Cole, After the Affair, page 123
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.
7. A person with whom someone has an adulterous relationship.
   I was his affair and he was a little boy toy to me... Together it was our little scandal. 2010, “Scandal”, in ABC
   Turns out she's married; he was her affair. June 20, 2010, Pamela Paul, “Today's women can have it all -- including a midlife crisis”, in The Washington Post
   Even though my husband forgave me and gave me another chance, I still continue to see my affair. February 3, 2012, “I Am Having An Affair With My Best Friend”, in The Experience Project
   She was my affair, but for me she was everything. 2014, “Will it be Love or Will it be Fate that Win?”, in Princess Kaurvaki
8. A party or social gathering, especially of a formal nature.
   She also guessed that Lady Gladstone had not told them the affair had been planned some time ago. “We are looking forward to visiting you on Friday, Lady Gladstone,” said Harriet. “Geoffrey thought I might have forgotten because you sent us your invitation such ages ago, but I said, 'My dear brother, how could I possibly forget an invitation from Lady Gladstone?'“ “How very odd,” commented the comte lazily. “Lady Gladstone was just telling us it was an impromptu affair.” 2014, M.C. Beaton, The French Affair
9. (slang, now rare) The (male or female) genitals.