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
The one-night affair is being presented in partnership with the Black Promoters Collective.
—
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
For decades, laws have intentionally limited military involvement in civilian affairs to prevent the militarization of policing and protect constitutional rights.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Notwithstanding the resurgence of regionalism in international affairs, none of the contributors expect the five American countries to form a coherent Western Hemisphere lobby within the G-20.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Michaels would retire for a bit soon after and the Age of Austin would begin, but the collapse of one empire and the rise of another is usually a violent affair.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affair
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 22 Apr. 2025
For decades, laws have intentionally limited military involvement in civilian affairs to prevent the militarization of policing and protect constitutional rights.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Notwithstanding the resurgence of regionalism in international affairs, none of the contributors expect the five American countries to form a coherent Western Hemisphere lobby within the G-20.
—Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
Michaels would retire for a bit soon after and the Age of Austin would begin, but the collapse of one empire and the rise of another is usually a violent affair.
—Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for affair
Cite this Entry
“Affair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/affair. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share