gaffe
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of gaffe
1905–10; < French: blunder, probably special use of gaffe gaff 1
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.
Local financial-market regulators say the gaffe has exposed fundamental weakness in the country’s digital-asset industry.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 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
But the bizarre gaffe by the Dane sparked outrage from Tottenham fans on social media, leaving Frank with more awkward questions to answer following the latest wretched result of his troubled reign.
From Barron's • Jan. 7, 2026
Jones, who is deputy to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, was defending welfare cuts on the BBC's Politics Live after Wednesday's Spring Statement when he made the gaffe.
From BBC • Mar. 27, 2025
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
