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

• familiarity
• gaff
• gaffe
• impropriety
• indiscretion
• solecism

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

Stick to the Dress Code Run your outfit past the bride and groom to avoid any fashion faux pas. —Boutayna Chokrane, Vogue, 3 Nov. 2023

The braless look has gone from a fashion faux pas to an integral part of the effortless-girl aesthetic in recent years thanks, at least in part, to Kardashian’s own sister, Kendall Jenner, who has been freeing the nipple for quite some time. —Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2023

Dear Miss Manners: What is the best way to extricate oneself from the faux pas of an uncontrollable laugh, snort or giggle? —Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 17 Oct. 2023

As seen in photos from the glam gala, the crown princess was quick to catch the faux pas and switched her navy sash to her right shoulder. —Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 17 Oct. 2023

Morris says her biggest faux pas is looking visibly uncomfortable. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 12 Oct. 2023

If there is a sense of fear among those around her that the next faux pas or negative headline or unwelcome spin lurks just around the corner, Harris herself betrays no such worry. —Michelle Tauber, Peoplemag, 16 Nov. 2023

For him, that’s one of the biggest faux pas people make: offering too many discrete dishes and putting them all on the table at once. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2023

There has been growing confusion — and resentment — over tipping etiquette coming out of the pandemic, but declining to tip on food delivered to one’s door is still a clear faux pas. —Carly Olson, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

French, literally, false step

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above