gaffe
B2Formal, journalistic
Definition
Meaning
A social mistake, a blunder, especially an embarrassing breach of etiquette or tact.
A public error or misstep, often committed by a public figure, that causes embarrassment or offence.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily refers to verbal slips or breaches of social protocol, not technical errors. Implies a lapse in judgment or awareness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is used identically in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of social embarrassment and poor judgment.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British media and political commentary, but widely used in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
commit/make a gaffebe guilty of a gaffeapologize for a gaffea gaffe by [person]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “drop a clanger (UK, similar meaning)”
- “put one's foot in it (similar meaning)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used when a manager or CEO says something inappropriate that harms the company's reputation.
Academic
Rare in core academic writing; more common in political science or media commentary.
Everyday
Used to describe an embarrassing social mistake at a party or gathering.
Technical
Not a technical term.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The MP has a tendency to gaffe during live interviews.
- He gaffed spectacularly by insulting the host.
American English
- The senator gaffed by misstating a key fact.
- Politicians who gaffe repeatedly lose credibility.
adjective
British English
- He is notoriously gaffe-prone.
- Her gaffe-filled speech was a disaster.
American English
- The gaffe-tastic interview went viral.
- It was a gaffe-laden performance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- It was a gaffe to forget her name.
- He made a gaffe by asking about her ex-husband.
- The diplomat's racial slur was a major diplomatic gaffe.
- The CEO committed a gaffe by joking about layoffs.
- Her series of gaffes during the campaign revealed a profound lack of preparation.
- The minister's latest gaffe has overshadowed the policy announcement.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'GAFFE' as 'Gaffe Accidentally Forgot Etiquette'.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SOCIAL MISSTEP (a journey metaphor where etiquette is the path).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить как "гаф" (несуществующее слово).
- Не путать с "оплошностью" (more minor, less social).
- Ближе к "ляпу" или "промаху" в публичном контексте.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling: Confusing with 'gaff' (a hook).
- Pronunciation: Pronouncing the final 'e' /ɡæfiː/.
- Using for non-social errors (e.g., a calculation gaffe*).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'gaffe'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be used for anyone in a social or public context, though it is frequently used in political journalism.
They are very close synonyms. 'Gaffe' can imply a slightly more noticeable or clumsy error, while 'faux pas' (French for 'false step') is often more associated with subtle breaches of etiquette.
Yes, though less common than the noun form. 'To gaffe' means to commit a gaffe (e.g., He gaffed during the speech).
It is pronounced /ɡæf/ (like 'gaff'), rhyming with 'staff'. The final 'e' is silent.
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