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DictionarygaffeEmbarrassing mistake
noun

gaffe

GAF/ɡæf/

An embarrassing social or public mistake.

The guest realizes her gaffe when she stands beside the bride in a similar gown.

A wedding guest commits a conspicuous social faux pas by arriving in a bridal-looking white gown; beside the actual bride and groom, she realizes her mistake.
Etymology
gaffeFrenchclumsy remark

French gaffe, “clumsy remark,” is only a possible source of the English word. Its earlier meaning was “boat hook,” but the connection to a social blunder is obscure; British slang origins have also been proposed.

In context

John Anderson Media4:26
there's a famous uh quote that uh a gaffe in washington is when a politician actually tells the truth
Net Zero: Is it Possible? | Steve E. Koonin | #CLIP

More examples

  • The mayor apologizes for a gaffe during her speech.
  • He laughs off his gaffe and introduces the guest again.
  • Forgetting the host's name is one of several gaffes she makes.

Forms

gaffe · gaffes

Similar words

blunder
A conspicuous mistake, not necessarily in a social setting.
slip
A small, accidental error that may cause no embarrassment.
misstep
A poor decision or action, often with broader consequences.