Definitions

faux pas

[foh pah] / foʊ ˈpɑ /

NOUN

social error

Synonyms

WEAK

blooper blunder blunder in etiquette boo-boo botch breach break bungle colossal blunder error flop flub foul-up gaffe gaucherie goof hash impropriety indecorum indiscretion mess mess-up misconduct misjudgment misstep mistake offense oversight slip social blunder solecism transgression

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She was quick to try to clean up her faux pas, claiming she had skipped over the section because her statement was running long, but no one believed it.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

Steve Carell’s character in the likable, watchable and even lovable “Rooster” is classic Steve Carell: Self-aware, charming, boyish, incapable of reading a room, sidestepping a faux pas or calculating nuance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026

The perplexed look on her face instantly confirmed the faux pas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 11, 2025

Which is just as well, because earlier this month Sam made the ultimate relationship faux pas.

From BBC • Oct. 22, 2025

I felt extremely shy, wary of committing a faux pas, and unequipped to participate in the high-flown and rapid-fire conversations.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

faux pas

Example Sentences

Related Words