clandestine affair
Hidden romantic relationship
A clandestine affair is a secret romantic or sexual relationship, typically one that violates existing commitments—an extramarital relationship kept hidden from spouses, or a workplace romance concealed from employers.
The phrase emphasizes deliberate secrecy: Their clandestine affair lasted two years before his wife discovered the texts.
- secretConcealed information
- secret meetingCovert assembly of parties
- forbiddenNot allowed
- illicitProhibited by law
- trystSecret romantic meeting
rendezvous · stolen moments · lover · mistress · other woman · betrayal · broken vows · passion · whispers · love letters · motel · hotel room · lies · hidden · stolen · cheating · adultery · scandal
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, courting
- secret meetingssecret society, rendezvous, conclave, cabal, huddle
- courtly lovetroubadour, canso, aubade, medieval romance, chivalric romance
legitimacy/social standing
clandestine affairmarriage
Formal union between partners
wedlock · holy matrimony · civil partnership · church wedding · betrothal