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

“There is not a thing that comes to mind,” was her tinny response, and that gaffe is entirely on the former vice president.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Diplomats, whose cause Andrew was meant to be advancing, nicknamed him "His Buffoon Highness" because of all the gaffes.

Read more on BBC

In fact, they're all so discombobulated by this thing that some of them are making monumental political gaffes trying to deal with it.

Read more on Salon

These "gaffes" were considered deal breakers and no matter how hard they tried to show off their skills at mingling with ordinary voters, they were given no quarter.

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It caused a bit of a fuss back home, but it was not an off the cuff gaffe.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• blooper 
• blunder 
• impropriety 
• indiscretion