affair
part of speech
noun (affair, affairs)
meaning for a pupil
1) An event or happening: the party was a noisy affair. tree →
2) affairs: things you deal with, business or matters, like money affairs or world affairs. tree →
3) A matter that concerns someone: «That's my affair» means it is my business, not yours. tree →
4) A secret romantic relationship between two people when one or both are married to someone else. tree →
sense in the lessons
In news and social studies: «current affairs», «foreign affairs», «Minister for Foreign Affairs». In stories and everyday talk: «a family affair», «a quiet affair». The romantic sense comes up in grown-up stories and news. Phrases: «current affairs», «state of affairs», «put your affairs in order».
examples
- The wedding was a small family affair. tree →
- We watch current affairs on Friday mornings. tree →
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs met other leaders. tree →
- What I do at lunch is my own affair. tree →
- The whole affair was over in ten minutes. tree →
- That's a sorry state of affairs! tree →
- Grandpa sorted out his money affairs. tree →
- In the story, a royal affair caused a scandal. tree →
- The whole affair is indeed mysterious. tree →
note
Countable; plural «affairs» often means business or matters. Do not confuse with «affect» or «a fair» (a fun fair).
In the corpora
- All the day they trouble mine affairs; all their thoughts are against me for evil.
- Well is it with the man that dealeth graciously and lendeth, that ordereth his affairs rightfully.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «affair» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.