gaffe

[ gaf ]

noun

1. a social blunder; faux pas.

gaffe

/ ɡæf /

noun

1. a social blunder, esp a tactless remark

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaffe¹

1905–10; < French: blunder, probably special use of gaffe gaff ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gaffe¹

C19: from French

Example Sentences

Fortunately, the agency admitted the gaffe within hours and corrected it, and the counting continued without drama.

From Time

In January, four of China’s biggest online tutoring platforms made an embarrassing gaffe.

From Quartz

Instead, he wrote his own or simply spoke from the cuff, often leading to notable gaffes.

From Washington Post

The Ravens had to move only 16 yards after the gaffe by Steelers punt returner Ray-Ray McCloud.

From Washington Post

Locals familiar with the scenery immediately called out the visual gaffe, which highlighted a preference on the part of Daines, Rosendale, and their fellow Republicans for appearance over substance on public-lands issues.

From Outside Online

At this point, probably the only thing that can really flip the dynamic of a particular race is a major gaffe.

From The Daily Beast

However, Ernst may have finally committed her own devastating gaffe this week.

From The Daily Beast

Did her handlers fear what for the gaffe-prone Republican might say?

From The Daily Beast

Christopher Dickey joins CNN International to discuss Biden's Erdogan gaffe and how it will affect Turkey's role in fighting ISIS.

From The Daily Beast

The moment seems to be a familiar breed of Internet gaffe when a eager but inept social media staffer makes a blunder.

From The Daily Beast

She has been so charming to me that if I make a gaffe she must forgive me.

From Project Gutenberg

Her recent commands with respect to turbulent Venice were the subject of criticism among the circle outside the Piazza Gaffe.

From Project Gutenberg

It was an odd correspondence, in which I made my customary gaffe.

From Project Gutenberg

Think what his position would have been if any member of his Embassy had made a "gaffe."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blooper
• blunder
• impropriety
• indiscretion