Synonyms

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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

faux pas

plural

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.

See Examples For:

faux pas

Another Kushner faux pas, this one perhaps reflecting his ignorance of European history: “There is no such thing in the world as forever enemies or forever allies.”

From Slate ● Sep. 8, 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

My face heats as she stares at it, her light eyes taking in every flaw and faux pas.

From "Dread Nation" by Justina Ireland

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