faux pas

American

[foh pah] / foʊ ˈpɑ /

noun

a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion.

Synonyms:

impropriety, error

faux pas British

/ fo pɑ, ˌfəʊ ˈpɑː /

noun

a social blunder or indiscretion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of faux pas

First recorded in 1670–80; from French: literally, “false step”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The only real faux pas, according to Lizzie Dushaj, is blandness.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

When a nameless secretary drops a sheaf of papers, Kornev’s response to help is instinctive, yet we cringe at the careless faux pas he commits in this unfeeling society.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2026

The first reason is the data collection faux pas of 2020.

From Salon • Mar. 21, 2026

Franks says she will never regret her time at Cambridge, despite the sneers and the cheeseboard faux pas.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Unsure how to act in the company of a divine presence, this living reincarnation of an ancient and illustrious lama, I was terrified of unwittingly giving offense or committing some irredeemable faux pas.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023