Affair Meaning
Affair Definition & Usage
A situation, event, or series of actions, typically of importance, often involving public or private matters.
Examples
- "The affair was widely covered in the media due to its political significance."
- "They were hosting a grand affair at their estate for the anniversary celebration."
- "The affair between the two celebrities caused a stir in the tabloids."
- "His affair with his coworker led to rumors spreading throughout the office."
- "The charity affair raised a significant amount of money for the cause."
A romantic or sexual relationship, often secretive or extramarital in nature.
Examples
- "She had an affair with a colleague, which ultimately ended her marriage."
- "They tried to keep their affair under wraps, but the rumors spread quickly."
- "His affair was discovered after his wife found private messages on his phone."
- "The affair lasted for several months before both parties decided to end it."
- "The scandal surrounding the affair shocked the community."
An important personal matter or business, often involving responsibility or care.
Examples
- "She has a lot on her plate at the moment, managing the affair of her family business."
- "His affair with managing the new project is taking up most of his time."
- "The affair of organizing the wedding ceremony fell entirely on her shoulders."
- "The company’s financial affairs were in a chaotic state after the sudden resignation of the CEO."
- "They were discussing the affair of the upcoming board meeting when I entered the room."
Cultural Context
The word 'affair' has evolved from the concept of action or business in Middle French to include social events, romantic relationships, and even personal or professional matters. In modern English, its connotations vary widely depending on context, ranging from high society events to secretive personal matters.
The Hidden Affair
Story
The Hidden Affair
At the annual gala held by the Lyle family, the ballroom was abuzz with conversation, laughter, and the clinking of wine glasses. The grand affair was everything that guests had come to expect—elegant, refined, and a little extravagant. But amidst the beauty of the evening, there were whispers that no one dared speak aloud. Unbeknownst to the hosts, two prominent figures in the room were embroiled in a secret affair that had already begun to create ripples throughout the community. Jessica, the young socialite, had arrived with her husband, but her eyes kept darting toward Charles, a well-known businessman in the city. What started as a harmless flirtation weeks ago had now blossomed into something more dangerous—an affair that neither party was proud of. They’d kept it a secret for months, meeting in dark corners of the city, avoiding public appearances together. But tonight, under the grand chandeliers of the ballroom, they couldn't help but be drawn to each other. At the same time, the affairs of the Lyle family’s business were in turmoil. Victor, the head of the family’s vast empire, had been trying to manage a new merger while dealing with personal crises. His daughter, Elizabeth, who was supposed to oversee the company’s legal affairs, had her own concerns. She had recently found out about her father’s extramarital affair, and it was only a matter of time before it would come to light. She was torn between protecting the family reputation and confronting him. As the evening wore on, Jessica and Charles found themselves cornered in the garden, away from prying eyes. The cool breeze didn’t seem to calm the tension between them. ‘We can’t keep doing this,’ Jessica whispered, looking down at her shoes, unable to meet his gaze. ‘We can,’ Charles replied with a cold smile, ‘We already have.’ Meanwhile, Elizabeth was making a decision of her own. After hours of contemplation, she finally confronted her father. ‘Victor, you need to sort out your affairs—both the business and the personal ones.’ The night ended with a feeling of unease hanging in the air. The affair that had begun as a secret had now caused a series of personal and professional crises, and nothing would ever be the same again.
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