affairs
/əˈfeər/ (bre, ipa) · [əfˈɛrz] /əˈfer/ (ame, ipa) · [əfˈɛrz] /ə-ˈfer/ (ame, mw)
affairs — noun
- affairssingular
- affairsesplural
1. matters or topics that people are dealing with, discussing, or thinking about
matters or topics that people are dealing with, discussing, or thinking about
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.
Family affairs often return to the table during holiday visits.
Campus affairs rarely stay quiet once tuition fees begin rising.
文法句型
affairs + of a person, group, or place
用法筆記
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
scandals or controversial cases that make many people angry or shocked
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.
These school affairs revealed years of cheating by administrators.
TV debates returned to the affairs every night that month.
- scandals
the closest everyday word, with strong public shame
- controversies
can be broader and not always morally shocking
文法句型
affairs + involving crime, cheating, or public shame
用法筆記
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
secret romantic or sexual relationships, especially ones people try to hide
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.
The affairs remained hidden until the old emails reached court.
The singer denied reports of affairs with two former dancers.
- liaisons
more formal and often literary
- relationships
broader and not always secret or sexual
文法句型
affairs + with someone
reports of affairs
用法筆記
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
events or occasions of a particular kind, especially social ones
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.
Charity affairs filled the town hall calendar every December.
These summer affairs usually end with music and a long meal.
文法句型
adjective or type word + affairs
用法筆記
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
objects or items of a stated kind, usually described in an informal way
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.
The cakes looked fancy but were dry affairs inside.
Those boots were heavy affairs made for snow and ice.
文法句型
adjective + affairs for objects
用法筆記
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
practical business or official matters that someone manages as part of work or daily responsibilities
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.
Foreign affairs officials briefed reporters after the border talks.
Vikram left his office affairs to his deputy during leave.
文法句型
handle affairs
put affairs in order
用法筆記
Often appears with words such as financial, foreign, or office. Unlike sense 1, it usually points to organized business, public work, or practical management.