/ əˈfeə(r); NAmE əˈfer/ noun
PUBLIC / POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
1.
affairs [ pl. ] events that are of public interest or political importance :
world / international / business affairs
an expert on foreign affairs (= political events in other countries)
affairs of state
—see also current affairs
EVENT
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] an event that people are talking about or describing in a particular way :
The newspapers exaggerated the whole affair wildly.
The debate was a pretty disappointing affair.
She wanted the celebration to be a simple family affair .
RELATIONSHIP
3.
[ C ] a sexual relationship between two people, usually when one or both of them is married to sb else :
She is having an affair with her boss.
—see also love affair
PRIVATE BUSINESS
4.
affairs [ pl. ] matters connected with a person's private business and financial situation :
I looked after my father's financial affairs.
She wanted to put her affairs in order before she died.
5.
[ sing. ] a thing that sb is responsible for (and that other people should not be concerned with)
SYN business :
How I spend my money is my affair.
OBJECT
6.
[ C ] ( old-fashioned ) (with an adjective) an object that is unusual or difficult to describe :
Her hat was an amazing affair with feathers and a huge brim.
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IDIOMS
see state noun
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French afaire , from à faire to do; compare with ado .