gauche

[ gohsh ]

adjective

1. lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward; crude; tactless:

   Their exquisite manners always make me feel gauche.

   Synonyms: uncouth, gross, coarse, maladroit, clumsy, inept

gauche

/ ɡəʊʃ /

adjective

1. lacking ease of manner; tactless

Derived Forms

• ˈgaucheness, noun
• ˈgauchely, adverb

Other Words From

• gauchely adverb
• gaucheness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gauche¹

1745–55; < French: awkward, left; Middle French, derivative of gauchir to turn, veer < Germanic

Word History and Origins

Origin of gauche¹

C18: French: awkward, left, from Old French gauchir to swerve, ultimately of Germanic origin; related to Old High German wankōn to stagger

Example Sentences

In England, though, many fans perceived it as the further desecration of a cornerstone of national culture: a soccer club’s being treated as an investment to be exploited by a gauche American owner.

From New York Times

Pronkstilleven pieces are complex and elaborate — aspirational in the same way foodie socials favor the gauche.

From Salon

Or is it considered inappropriate and gauche to even talk about money?

From Salon

The Stanley cup is a way to flex on the peasants without looking gauche.

From Salon

Even if SAG-AFTRA members are allowed by the rules to continue their outside work, will it not seem gauche to do so?

From New York Times