Synonyms

faux pas

American

[foh pah] / foʊ ˈpɑ /

noun

plural

faux pas

a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indiscretion.

Synonyms:

impropriety, error

faux pas British

/ fo pɑ, ˌfəʊ ˈpɑː /

noun

a social blunder or indiscretion

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of faux pas

First recorded in 1670–80; from French: literally, “false step”

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She was quick to try to clean up her faux pas, claiming she had skipped over the section because her statement was running long, but no one believed it.

From Salon • Mar. 22, 2026

For centuries, appearing in public without the proper headgear was a faux pas.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

Although they have committed American tourist faux pas like their characters, Crano and Craig said the adoption story is the most true-to-life aspect of the movie.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2025

The aurora faux pas comes just a couple of weeks after the real Northern Lights were once again spotted across the UK, following a similar sight back in May.

From BBC • Oct. 24, 2024

In making his pitch, Ernest committed a grave faux pas.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023