gaffe

noun

ˈgaf 

1

: a social or diplomatic blunder

committed an embarrassing gaffe when he mispronounced her name

2

: a noticeable mistake

Kwan did not fall today, as she had in Friday's short program, a gaffe that left her in fourth place.

—Christopher Clarey

Synonyms

• familiarity
• faux pas
• gaff
• impropriety
• indiscretion
• solecism

Examples of gaffe in a Sentence

He realized that he had committed an awful gaffe when he mispronounced her name.

committed a huge gaffe when she started drinking from the finger bowl

Recent Examples on the Web

Trump, Vance's running mate, has taken full advantage of Biden's gaffe, arguing that the moment reveals Democrats' true thoughts about half of America. —Savannah Kuchar, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024

Harris' camp has echoed her closing message of unity while still going on offense to capitalize on Trump's recent controversies and gaffes. —Axios, 3 Nov. 2024

Trump seeks to press advantage from Biden’s ‘garbage’ gaffe. —Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024

Related Articles Sharks place forward on IR, recall rookie from Barracuda Sharks, amid winless start, are dealing with another injury Sharks president not surprised by inconsistency, wants more from some vets A slow start, a critical gaffe and another Sharks loss. —Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French, probably a sense development of gaffe gaff entry 1

First Known Use

1909, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

gaffe

noun

ˈgaf 

: a noticeable mistake especially of manners