faux pas

noun

ˈfō-ˌpä

fō-ˈpä

plural faux pas ˈfō-ˌpä(z)

fō-ˈpä(z)

Synonyms of faux pas next

: 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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

What the Experts Say Wearing white to a wedding, unless explicitly allowed by the couple, has long been considered a major faux pas in wedding etiquette. —

Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025 Featured Skiing in jeans is traditionally a faux pas. —

The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025 For many filmmakers, engaging with any review, let alone those that come from regular people rather than industry professionals, is a major faux pas, but for first-time narrative feature filmmaker RaMell Ross, knowing what people are thinking about his work is half the fun. —

Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 12 Jan. 2025 In 1986, the Trumps agreed to host the annual Palm Beach Preservation Foundation charity ball at Mar-a-Lago, then promptly committed what some called a faux pas. —

Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for faux pas