Wondering how to use Gaffe in a sentence? Below are 10+ example sentences from authentic English texts. Including the meaning and synonyms such as boner or botch.
Gaffe meaning
A foolish and embarrassing error, especially one made in public; a social blunder; a breach of etiquette.
Synonyms of Gaffe
Using Gaffe
- The main meaning on this page is: A foolish and embarrassing error, especially one made in public; a social blunder; a breach of etiquette.
- Useful related words include: faux pas, boner, botch, flub.
- In the example corpus, gaffe often appears in combinations such as: the gaffe, gaffe that, gaffe on.
Context around Gaffe
- Average sentence length in these examples: 22 words
- Position in the sentence: 7 start, 5 middle, 8 end
- Sentence types: 19 statements, 1 questions, 0 exclamations
Corpus analysis for Gaffe
- In this selection, "gaffe" usually appears near the end of the sentence. The average example has 22 words, and this corpus slice is mostly made up of statements.
- Around the word, translation, royal, worst, reminiscent, prone and comes stand out and add context to how "gaffe" is used.
- Recognizable usage signals include a translation gaffe while deaf and addressing the gaffe on air. That gives this page its own corpus information beyond isolated example sentences.
- By corpus frequency, "gaffe" sits close to words such as ahs, airtime and ambience, which helps place it inside the broader word index.
Example types with gaffe
The same corpus examples are grouped by length and sentence type, making it easier to see the contexts in which the word appears:
Vulin’s views were not a gaffe. (7 words)
But this offensive set was no gaffe. (7 words)
Nevertheless, everybody is clearly afraid of risking another gaffe. (9 words)
Richardson threw a pair of ill-advised interceptions, including a pick-six to a Kentucky defender with no UF receiver in the vicinity — a gaffe reminiscent of another pick-six against Georgia during his first career start in 2021. (39 words)
In another gaffe on the parliamentary estate, Lee Anderson, ex-chair of the Tory party turned Reform MP was ordered to apologise in the House of Commons for breaching anti-bullying rules by swearing at a security guard. (38 words)
Aso is able to continue, an aged gaffe prone relic unwilling to relinquish power or authority, so the much needed reforming, the economy, employment policy, education, depopulation, and social care. (30 words)
Bringing up the gaffe, a Twitter user wrote: ‘In this episode, Karl speaks but you hear Lenny’s voice? (19 words)
Example sentences (20)
Addressing the gaffe on air today, DJ James said: "My favourite thing has happened.
Bringing up the gaffe, a Twitter user wrote: ‘In this episode, Karl speaks but you hear Lenny’s voice?
Carey Mulligan was incorrectly announced as the winner of the supporting actress award at the Baftas after a translation gaffe while deaf actor Troy Kotsur was presenting.
First there was that gaffe about not loving her husband all the time (which was made mere weeks after he deployed overseas with his S.C. National Guard unit).
It comes after the prime minister was accused of making a major 'royal gaffe' after failing to formally invite King Charles to Australia.
Langbein, known for interviewing high-profile guests at Genesis Women’s Shelter fundraisers, also told guests at the Rotary luncheon about her worst gaffe – a doozy.
Realising the gaffe, a clearly flustered Taylor seized the chance to redeem himself, hastily replying: 'Love Rick Astley.
Richardson threw a pair of ill-advised interceptions, including a pick-six to a Kentucky defender with no UF receiver in the vicinity — a gaffe reminiscent of another pick-six against Georgia during his first career start in 2021.
Viewers quickly picked up on Rachel's gaffe with some fans claiming the sum was 'obvious'.
Vulin’s views were not a gaffe.
Aso is able to continue, an aged gaffe prone relic unwilling to relinquish power or authority, so the much needed reforming, the economy, employment policy, education, depopulation, and social care.
Boeing reported another problem with fuselages on its 737 jets that might delay deliveries of about 50 aircraft in the latest quality gaffe to plague the manufacturer.
But this offensive set was no gaffe.
Having covered the poll, which also found many senior Tories losing their seats, Burley brought up the flag gaffe.
His gaffe comes just a day after Rachel Reeves was heckled by a pro-Palestine activist before he was grabbed by the neck and hauled out of the venue.
In 1976, Jimmy Carter was thought to have trounced Gerald Ford, who made a gaffe in describing the status of eastern Europe, but Carter’s presidency was largely unsuccessful.
In another gaffe on the parliamentary estate, Lee Anderson, ex-chair of the Tory party turned Reform MP was ordered to apologise in the House of Commons for breaching anti-bullying rules by swearing at a security guard.
It gives the presumptive Republican nominee time to gather his thoughts, and also leaves Biden susceptible to the chance of a gaffe.
Kamala Harris was fending off questions about Biden's apparent gaffe.
Nevertheless, everybody is clearly afraid of risking another gaffe.
Common combinations with gaffe
These word pairs occur most frequently in English texts:
- the gaffe 13×
- gaffe that 7×
- gaffe on 6×
- gaffe in 5×
- gaffe by 5×
- his gaffe 4×
- another gaffe 3×
- biden gaffe 3×
- gaffe from 3×
- translation gaffe 2×