affaire

Romantic entanglement abroad

Affaire is a French borrowing meaning an affair or matter, used in English primarily in the phrase *affaire de coeur*—a love affair or romantic entanglement.

The French spelling lends a touch of sophistication or irony: Their little affaire scandalized the neighborhood.

Outside this context, the anglicized *affair* is standard.

romantic

liaison

Connector between groups

lover · mistress · paramour · rendezvous · passion · clandestine · adultery · secret · illicit · dalliance

business

transaction

Exchange of goods/money

matter · negotiation · commerce · contract · partnership · arrangement · undertaking · commercial · trade · dealings

matter

concern

Troubled interest in something

circumstance · question · subject · problem · case · topic · consideration · regard · point · aspect

scandal

controversy

Prolonged public disagreement

sensation · notoriety · disgrace · exposé · corruption · cover-up · revelation · political · public · media

Opposites
romantic commitment

affairemarriage

Formal union between partners

matrimony · wedlock · committed relationship · true love · domestic partnership

fidelity

affairefaithfulness

Devoted loyalty maintained

fidelity · loyalty · monogamy · marriage · devotion

PUBLIC MATTERS (scandal sense)

affairenon-event

Disappointing lack of significance

transparency · propriety · clean record

Phrases
Family

affair, affairs, love affair, public affairs, extramarital affair

Familiarity
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Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG