affairs

IPA/əˈfeər/
KK[əfˈɛrz]IPA/əˈfer/

affairs — noun

  • affairssingular
  • affairsesplural

1. matters or topics that people are dealing with, discussing, or thinking about

1.nounB2
Definition

matters or topics that people are dealing with, discussing, or thinking about

Example

Current affairs were the first topic in today's English class.

collocation: current affairs for topics in public life

Village affairs kept the council busy through the winter.

Common collocations
  • current affairs
  • family affairs
  • campus affairs
Synonyms
  • matters

    broad and neutral for things under discussion

  • concerns

    often suggests worry or responsibility as well

Grammar Patterns

affairs + of a person, group, or place

Usage Note

Often used for issues or topics that occupy people's attention. Unlike sense 6, it does not have to focus on formal business or office management.

2. scandals or controversial cases that make many people angry or shocked

2.nounC1
Definition

scandals or controversial cases that make many people angry or shocked

Example

The bribery affairs shocked voters across the country before the election.

collocation: bribery affairs for linked scandals

New evidence tied the affairs to senior officers in city hall.

Synonyms
  • scandals

    the closest everyday word, with strong public shame

  • controversies

    can be broader and not always morally shocking

Grammar Patterns

affairs + involving crime, cheating, or public shame

Usage Note

This sense is used for cases that become public controversies, not for ordinary private matters in sense 1.

3. secret romantic or sexual relationships, especially ones people try to hide

3.nounC1
Definition

secret romantic or sexual relationships, especially ones people try to hide

Example

Rumors about the mayor's affairs filled every talk show that week.

pattern: reports of affairs = secret relationships

The novel follows three affairs that slowly destroy one family.

Common collocations
  • have affairs
  • reports of affairs
  • extramarital affairs
Synonyms

Grammar Patterns

affairs + with someone

reports of affairs

Usage Note

Usually suggests secrecy and personal betrayal. It is far narrower than sense 1 and more personal than sense 2.

4. events or occasions of a particular kind, especially social ones

4.nounC1
Definition

events or occasions of a particular kind, especially social ones

Example

Wedding affairs at the hotel often continue until well after midnight.

pattern: [type] affairs = events of that kind

These outdoor affairs need extra tents in case of rain.

Common collocations
  • wedding affairs
  • charity affairs
  • outdoor affairs
Synonyms
  • events

    the plain everyday choice

  • functions

    slightly more formal, especially for organized gatherings

Grammar Patterns

adjective or type word + affairs

Usage Note

Common with a describing word before affairs, such as wedding or charity. Unlike sense 5, it refers to occasions, not objects.

5. objects or items of a stated kind, usually described in an informal way

5.nounC2
Definition

objects or items of a stated kind, usually described in an informal way

Example

The curtains were cheap affairs that tore after one wash.

pattern: adjective + affairs for objects of a type

Their first phones were plastic affairs with tiny screens.

Common collocations
  • cheap affairs
  • plastic affairs
  • heavy affairs
Synonyms
  • things

    very broad and neutral

  • items

    more neutral and less conversational

Grammar Patterns

adjective + affairs for objects

Usage Note

This informal sense comments on what a thing is like as an object. Unlike sense 4, it does not refer to an event or gathering.

6. practical business or official matters that someone manages as part of work or d

6.nounC1
Definition

practical business or official matters that someone manages as part of work or daily responsibilities

Example

A new director now handles the museum's affairs in Seoul.

pattern: handle affairs = manage official or business matters

The lawyer put Adina's financial affairs in order before surgery.

Common collocations
  • financial affairs
  • foreign affairs
  • office affairs
Synonyms
  • business

    close in meaning, especially in practical contexts

  • dealings

    stresses the way someone manages or conducts matters

Grammar Patterns

handle affairs

put affairs in order

Usage Note

Often appears with words such as financial, foreign, or office. Unlike sense 1, it usually points to organized business, public work, or practical management.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

For noun/1, affairs is broader and a little more formal than matter. Matter often points to one specific question, as in a private matter, while affairs can cover a whole area of life or a connected set of topics, such as family affairs or campus affairs. Issue usually suggests a problem or a point of disagreement, so it suits debate better than routine daily affairs. Concern adds a sense of worry or responsibility. Business overlaps with affairs in practical contexts, but it sounds more official and work-focused. You might discuss current affairs in class, settle family affairs after a death, raise an issue at a meeting, or tell a friend that something is a private matter.

matter ↗issue ↗concern ↗business ↗

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

Affairs is the plural form of affair. Affair came into English through Old French from a verb meaning 'to do' or 'to make', and it first referred to what had to be done. That older idea still shows in senses about matters that need attention and business someone manages. English later widened the word to cover scandals, secret relationships, events, and even objects described in a certain way.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a