Gaffe

usgb/ɡæf/
noun

A blunder or mistake, especially one made in a social situation.

The politician made a gaffe during the interview when he forgot the name of his opponent.
Visual representation of "gaffe" - A blunder or mistake, especially one made in a social situation.

Often appears as...

  • social gaffe
  • political gaffe

Usage tips

Neutral

social gaffe, verbal gaffe, political gaffe

Definition 1 of 1
Visual representation of "gaffe"
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Contextual Awareness

Understanding that 'gaffe' often relates to public mistakes helps in recognizing its use in news reports.

Illustration for Contextual Awareness
The politician's gaffe went viral on social media.
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Mistake vs. Gaffe

Knowing that not all mistakes are 'gaffes' helps distinguish between private errors and public ones.

Illustration for Mistake vs. Gaffe
It was a small mistake, but calling it a gaffe made it seem more serious.
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Cultural Sensitivity

Realizing that some cultures might view public blunders more harshly than others can affect how 'gaffe' is interpreted.

Illustration for Cultural Sensitivity
His gaffe led to international criticism, highlighting cultural differences in expectations.
Visual representation of the word "Gaffe"

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