Word
gaffe
US/ˈɡæf/
UK/ɡˈæf/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small but embarrassing mistake you make in public, especially by saying the wrong thing.
n. an embarrassing social or public blunder, especially an unintentional remark that causes offence.
Examples
“He makes a small gaffe at dinner.”
“The mayor's gaffe about local schools spreads quickly on social media.”
“What might have passed as a minor gaffe in private became a diplomatic incident once reporters replayed the ambassador's unguarded remarks.”
Examples
simple
“He makes a small gaffe at dinner.”
contextual
“The mayor's gaffe about local schools spreads quickly on social media.”
complex
“What might have passed as a minor gaffe in private became a diplomatic incident once reporters replayed the ambassador's unguarded remarks.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “gaffe” in context.
Verb
01. apologize for gaffe
“The presenter apologized for his gaffe the next morning.”
verb + prep + noun
02. avoid gaffe
“To avoid a gaffe, double-check names and titles before speaking.”
verb + noun
03. commit gaffe
“The diplomat committed a serious gaffe by forgetting the president's name.”
verb + noun
04. gaffe dominates
“The gaffe dominated headlines for the rest of the week.”
noun + verb
05. gaffe embarrasses
“His gaffe embarrassed the entire team in front of clients.”
noun + verb
06. gaffe sparks
“Her gaffe sparked outrage on social media within hours.”
noun + verb
Adjective
07. diplomatic gaffe
“The ambassador's diplomatic gaffe caused tension between the two countries.”
adj + noun
08. embarrassing gaffe
“He made an embarrassing gaffe by calling his new boss by the wrong name.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. campaign gaffe
“The campaign gaffe forced the senator to hold an emergency press conference.”
noun + noun
10. gaffe apology
“His gaffe apology sounded sincere and quickly calmed public anger.”
noun + noun
11. apologize for a gaffe
“She quickly apologized for her gaffe at the press conference.”
12. commit a major gaffe
“The minister committed a major gaffe during the live television debate.”
Real-World Examples
“The White House on Friday reiterated that Joe Biden was not signaling a change in U.S. policy toward Taiwan when he said the United States would come to the island's aid if it was attacked by China, and analysts dismissed the president's remark as a gaffe.” “Maybe it was nerves from being in the presence of royalty, or perhaps it was a simple mistake, but over the years there have been quite a few gaffes between US presidents, first ladies and members of the British Royal family.” Etymology
From French gaffe (“blunder”). Doublet of gaff.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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