faux pas

noun

ˈfō-ˌpä 

fō-ˈpä

plural faux pas ˈfō-ˌpä(z) 

fō-ˈpä(z)

: a significant or embarrassing error or mistake : blunder

Long, hot soaks in winter are a classic faux pas, since exposure to extreme heat after having been in the cold can cause small visible blood vessels to appear at the skin's surface.

—Elle

especially : a socially awkward or improper act or remark

Audiences must be supportive and enthusiastic—lots of clapping, no heckling. (And talking on cellphones during the performance is a huge faux pas).

—Claudine Ise

… when I sauntered into the main dining room for my first breakfast, I realized I was the only person showing his legs. Careless faux pas, or was I being overly sensitive to the local culture?

—David Swanson

Campaigning last year seemed to convince her that she can venture out alone without making costly faux pas.

—Time Magazine

It was not until I'd covered about fifty kilometers that I committed my most terrible social faux pas yet: I overtook another cyclist.

—Polly Evans

Synonyms

• mistake
• offence
• blunder
• error

Examples of faux pas in a Sentence

Arriving too early would be a serious faux pas.

according to an oft-told story, the queen set a guest at ease about a faux pas by politely imitating it

Recent Examples on the Web

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images This isn't the first time And Just Like That... has been called out over a continuity error or filming faux pas. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 July 2025

What to Do Before an Estate Sale Familiarize Yourself with the Rules Sometimes, a little research ahead of time can save you from an embarrassing—and likely unintentional—etiquette faux pas. —Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 5 July 2025

The two tell me with mirth and kindness that the question is quite a faux pas. —Allie Garfinkle, Fortune, 1 July 2025

The ceiling fan, once considered a design faux pas, has finally gotten a glow-up that even designers can get behind. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, false step

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for faux pas

• applause
• because
• byelaws
• bylaws
• caspase
• choctaws
• danaus
• macaws
• outlaws
• rickshaws
• subclause
• tawas