gaffe

American  

[gaf] / gæf /

noun

1. a social blunder; faux pas.

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gaffe British  

/ ɡæf /

noun

1. a social blunder, esp a tactless remark

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Etymology

Origin of gaffe

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

Explanation

A gaffe is a mistake that embarrasses you in front of others. If you run into a friend out with her grey-haired father, and you blurt out, "Oh, hi, you must be Tara's grandfather!" then you've made a gaffe. Gaffe rhymes with laugh, and you'll be lucky if that's how people respond to your social blunder. A gaffe seems to occur most often when you literally don't know your audience — you make a joke about the mayor; you didn't know you were talking to his sister. That's definitely a gaffe. And who knew your hosts come from a culture that takes offense if you refuse to try every dish?

Example Sentences

Coke stock wobbled for weeks on the marketing gaffe, but the company backtracked in July and its stock rose 42% that year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The gaffe underscores how lifelike AI visuals -- even those containing glaring errors -- are seeping into everyday discourse, sowing confusion during breaking news events and influencing political debate at the highest levels.

From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026

The “Cold Mountain” gaffe was a rare instance of a “Good Hang” research flub, one that inadvertently managed to illuminate more of Paltrow’s self-perception.

From Salon • Jan. 16, 2026

Gadsden’s goal-line gaffe was one of several mistakes that played a role in ending the Chargers’ four-game winning streak last week.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 3, 2026

Boats passed out of the harbor and into the harbor and each one slowed to remark on my sailing gaffe and give me advice.

From "Hole in My Life" by Jack Gantos

Related Words

• blooper
• blunder
• impropriety
• indiscretion