World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesGaffe
/ɡæf/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
An inadvertent remark or action causing embarrassment in a social or professional context.
"The politician made a major gaffe by insulting the local business owners during his opening remarks." - 2
A blatant mistake or tactical error.
"Failing to check the budget numbers before submission was a serious gaffe by the finance team."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the French word gaffe, originally meaning 'boat-hook', which shifted metaphorically in the 19th century to mean 'a clumsy blunder' or 'social trip'. The semantic evolution moved from physically grasping blindly with a hook to making a socially awkward or clumsy faux pas.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Gaffe"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Gaffe" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
gaffe
Transliteration: /ɡaf/
"Il a commis une énorme gaffe pendant la réunion."
Fettnäpfchen
Transliteration: /ˈfɛtˌnɛp͡fçən/
"Er ist mit seiner Bemerkung voll ins Fettnäpfchen getreten."
gaffe
Transliteration: /ˈɡaffe/
"Ha fatto una brutta gaffe davanti a tutti gli ospiti."
gafe
Transliteration: /ˈɡafe/
"El ministro cometió una grave gafe durante la entrevista."
gafe
Transliteration: /ˈɡafi/
"O político cometeu uma gafe imperdoável no discurso."
चूक
Transliteration: chook
Script: हिंदी देवनागरी
"उसकी एक छोटी सी चूक ने पूरी योजना को खराब कर दिया।"
失言
Transliteration: shīyán
Script: 中文汉字
"他在新闻发布会上的失言引起了轩然大波。"
말실수
Transliteration: malsilsu
Script: 한국어 한글
"그의 사소한 말실수가 큰 논란을 불러일으켰다."
失言
Transliteration: shitsugen
Script: 日本語
"彼の公式の場での失言はメディアで大きく取り上げられた。"
Related Vocabulary Words to Explore
View all English termsA barracks or building intended for the accommodation of soldiers, usually located within a fortified place.
A secondary residence owned or rented by a family or individual, used primarily for recreational purposes, holidays, or seasonal getaways.
Not producing or containing venom; incapable of injecting poison through a bite, sting, or other mechanism.
Explore Nuanced Synonyms for "Gaffe"
Discover exact matches, context-specific alternatives, and antonyms with intensity ratings in the VocabDictionary Thesaurus.
Enhance Your Writing & Grammar Precision
Linguistic Origins & Word Stories
View all stories →How Are Palisade Cells Adapted for Photosynthesis (and Why Are They Called 'Palisade')?
Palisade mesophyll cells are column-shaped, densely packed with chloroplasts, and positioned near the leaf's upper surface to maximize light absorption for photosynthesis. Their name comes from the French word for a defensive fence of wooden stakes, referencing their tightly aligned, upright cellular structure.
What is a SLOT SWOT Analysis and How Do You Actually Do One?
A SLOT SWOT analysis is an expanded strategic planning framework that blends personal or organizational 'SLOT' (Strengths, Limitations, Opportunities, Threats) metrics with traditional 'SWOT' dynamics. It provides a granular approach to evaluating internal capabilities against external market realities.