affair
267
3.7
- noun
- /əˈfɛr/
- Formal
:
evento
- Did Gracchus have something to do with this brilliant affair?
Again, it was a small affair, but really telling was her mother did not attend.
- Again, it was a small affair, but really telling was her mother did not attend.
- Committee Chair Richard Burr started by reminding us this was to be a non partisan affair.
- Everybody knows that your rallies are rambling, nonsensical nut job affairs.
- And he went to an affair where Iraqi veterans were being honored and he wouldn't put on his decorations.
Examples
-
After all, it's a Palms affair; they met here and courted under our very noses.
Fiction book (1994) -
Then it becomes purely a family affair,' he concluded, to the obvious disappointment of his audience.
Fiction book (1994) -
Again, it was a small affair, but really telling was her mother did not attend.
-
No wonder we both have to drink so much at these affairs.
-
Dinner is an intimate affair with nine people reclining around the low table.
-
Dinner that night was a lengthy, awkward affair marked by long periods of silence.
Fiction book (1992) -
We stopped at the largest house, a stonewalled, thatched-roof affair that was new since my time.
Fiction book (1991) -
The present issue of Asian Affairs is devoted to a brief history of Taiwan-China relations.
Academic text (1999) -
Dinner that night was a hasty and oddly formal affair featuring tuna sandwiches and irrelevant conversation.
Fiction book (1993) -
The wedding was a splendid affair attended by many family and friends.
Synonyms
∞
1.0
A group of people who come together for a planned purpose or to be social
∞
3.4
A large meeting where people with the same job or interest gather
942
3.1
A special time or event when something happens
901
2.5
A formal event that follows traditional rules for a special occasion
253
2.6
A large formal dance where people wear elegant clothes
203
1.0
A meeting of people for a social or special purpose
167
3.3
A formal party after a ceremony to welcome guests
74
4.2
A formal social event such as a party or ceremony
19
1.9
A gathering where people meet to talk and enjoy themselves
7
2.7
An event where people meet to talk and spend time together
6
4.7
A formal event to mark or honor a special day
4
3.5
A formal event where people meet for a special purpose
3
2.8
An event where people meet to celebrate or spend time together
3
7.7
A formal group of people gathered for a meeting or ceremony
1
4.4
A large important event with ceremony and celebration
1
6.0
A fancy formal party with entertainment to celebrate or raise money
1
4.9
A formal gathering with planned rituals to mark an important event
A formal party or ceremony where many people meet
Compounds
A situation that has big risks and serious results for the people involved, like a trial or business deal
How Formal
Surface Forms
Etymology
Affair comes from an old French word built on faire meaning 'to do', so you can think of an 'affair' as a special 'do' — a planned event or party. That's why we call a big social event or ceremony an 'affair'.