What is affair? Pronunciation and usage in English

affair means . Learn how to pronounce and use affair through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of affair

affairnoun

/əˈfɛː/
Definition & pronunciation of affair

Okay, let's break down the pronunciation of "affair." It's a tricky one! Here's a breakdown of how to say it correctly, and some tips:

The Standard Pronunciation (Most Common):

  • ˈæf.eər (stress is on the first syllable)

Let's break it down further:

  • "aff": Sounds like the word "ahf" – like you're starting to cough lightly. Think of the "a" as a short, open "ah" sound.
  • "air": This is where it gets tricky. It doesn't rhyme with "hair." It's more of a short, clipped "air" sound, almost like you're saying "ah" and then quickly releasing your breath. It’s a very subtle sound.

Here’s a breakdown of the sounds:

  1. "ahf": /ˈæf/
  2. "ah" (quick release): /eər/

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "hair": This is the most common mistake. It's a very frequent error.
  • Short "air": It’s not a long, drawn-out “air” like you’d say in "fair weather."
  • Stress is on the first syllable: Make sure you emphasize the "aff" part.

Resources to Listen:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly for you?

Usage and examples with the word affair in English

Let's break down how to use the word "affair" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized with examples:

1. Romantic Affair (Most Common Usage)

  • Meaning: A secret or illicit romantic relationship, usually with someone who is married or in a committed relationship.
  • Example: "He was caught in a secret affair with his secretary."
  • Example: “They ended their marriage because of her affair.”
  • Key features: Often implies secrecy, infidelity, and a hidden nature.

2. Event/Party (Formal)

  • Meaning: A social gathering or event, especially a formal one.
  • Example: "The charity gala was a beautiful affair."
  • Example: "They hosted a wonderful affair for their anniversary.”
  • Key features: Sounds more formal and sophisticated than "party" or "event." Think weddings, fundraisers, balls.

3. Matter/Business/Issue (General)

  • Meaning: A general situation, problem, or matter, often one that's complicated or significant. It can refer to a business deal, a lawsuit, or a general topic of discussion.
  • Example: "There's an affair of national importance regarding this bill.” (Referring to a serious issue)
  • Example: "Let’s deal with the affair of the budget first.” (Referring to a business matter)
  • Example: "The affair of the missing documents is still under investigation.” (Referring to a specific situation)
  • Key features: Used when talking about a thing that needs to be handled or addressed. It’s a more formal way of saying “matter” or “issue.”

4. Affair (Of a horse - less common)

  • Meaning: A horse's connection to a race. It refers to the specifics of a horse's participation in a race, including its best time and how it has performed.
  • Example: "He's looking at the affair of the horses to find the right one for the race."
  • Key features: Primarily used in a racing context.

Here's a table to summarize:

Meaning Example Context
Romantic Relation. “She had a secret affair with her boss.” Personal relationships
Formal Event “The wedding was a grand affair.” Social events
General Matter “Let's discuss the affair of the contract.” Business, legal, or general issues
Horse Racing “He studied the affair of the horse.” Horse racing

Tips for Using "Affair":

  • Formality: "Affair" is generally considered more formal than words like "event" or "matter."
  • Context is Key: Pay attention to the surrounding words and sentences to determine the intended meaning.
  • Synonyms: Depending on the specific nuance you want, consider using synonyms like:
    • Romantic: relationship, liaison, romance
    • Event: party, gathering, celebration
    • Matter: issue, problem, case, situation

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What is the context you're thinking about using the word "affair" in? (e.g., writing a story, having a conversation, an exam question?)

Synonyms for the word affair

Idioms of the word affair

a state of affairs
a situation
  • This state of affairs can no longer be ignored.

Practice with vocabulary affair

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The scandalous __________ between the two politicians was the talk of the town.
  2. She handled the project with great professionalism, treating it as a serious __________.
  3. The company’s financial __________ were managed by a team of experts.
  4. He was accused of meddling in a private __________ that didn’t concern him.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which word best describes a romantic relationship between two people, especially if it’s secret or scandalous?
    a) affair
    b) friendship
    c) partnership
    d) event

  2. The government is investigating the corruption __________ that has shocked the nation.
    a) case
    b) affair
    c) situation
    d) problem

  3. Which of the following words can refer to a matter or issue of importance?
    a) affair
    b) topic
    c) subject
    d) all of the above

  4. The CEO’s resignation was a result of a personal __________ that affected his judgment.
    a) affair
    b) mistake
    c) decision
    d) choice

  5. The charity __________ was a huge success, raising thousands of dollars for the cause.
    a) event
    b) gathering
    c) affair
    d) meeting

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The politician’s scandalous relationship was exposed by the media.
    Rewrite: The media exposed the politician’s scandalous __________.

  2. Original: Managing international trade agreements is a complex task.
    Rewrite: Managing international trade agreements is a complicated __________.

  3. Original: The company’s financial matters were handled by a new team.
    Rewrite: The company’s financial __________ were managed by a new team.

Answer:
Exercise 1:

  1. affair
  2. affair
  3. matters
  4. matter

Exercise 2:

  1. a) affair
  2. b) affair
  3. d) all of the above
  4. a) affair
  5. a) event

Exercise 3:

  1. The media exposed the politician’s scandalous affair.
  2. Managing international trade agreements is a complicated affair.
  3. The company’s financial affairs were managed by a new team.

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