Etymology Map
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Affair

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means an event or matter; a romantic relationship

Where does the word "affair" come from? It comes from Latin ad facere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
ad facere
Latin · ancient
"to do"
from the phrase 'à faire', to do
2
Stage 2 of 3
afaire
Old French · medieval
"business"
literally 'something to do'
3
Stage 3 of 3
affair
English · 1300s
"business, matter"
first recorded around 1390 in the sermons of the Vernon manuscript; 'love affair' dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Affair’s story begins in Latin: ad facere meant “to do.” From the phrase 'à faire', to do. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as afaire. Literally 'something to do'. It reached English by 1300s as affair. First recorded around 1390 in the sermons of the Vernon manuscript; 'love affair' dates from the 1700s. Today, affair means an event or matter; a romantic relationship.