English Explanatory Dictionary

gaffe

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A foolish and embarrassing error, especially one made in public; a social blunder; a breach of etiquette.

Pronunciation

en-us-gaffe.ogg /ɡæf/

Word forms

gaffe gaffes gaff

Etymology

From French gaffe (“blunder”). Doublet of gaff.

Synonyms

blooper blunder mistake error slip slip-up aberration bloomer boner boo-boo break clanger cock-up fault faux pas floater flub fluff fuckup gaffe goof howler inaccuracy lapse lapsus mess-up misstep oopsy screwup slipup stumble thinko wrength solecism erroneity

Related words

Bushism faux pas Freudian slip malapropism

Derived words

Kinsley gaffe
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