gaucherie
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. A socially awkward or tactless act: An instance of clumsy or embarrassing behavior in a social situation, often resulting from a lack of grace, polish, or awareness. 2. The quality of being rustic or gauche: The state or characteristic of lacking social grace, sophistication, or refinement; awkwardness.
Usage and Examples
- Referring to an awkward act:
- His loud comment about the host's cooking was a terrible gaucherie.
- She regretted the gaucherie of forgetting her client's name during the meeting.
- Referring to the quality of awkwardness:
- Despite his wealth, a certain gaucherie in his manners marked him as new to high society.
- The novel's charm lies in the protagonist's endearing gaucherie.
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a slightly formal or literary tone and implies a judgment based on specific social or cultural standards of behavior.
- It can describe both a single clumsy action and a person's general lack of social polish.
Variants and Related Words
- Gauche (adjective): Lacking social grace; awkward and tactless.
- It was considered gauche to discuss money at the dinner table.
Synonyms
- Faux pas: A socially embarrassing action or remark.
- Solecism: A breach of good manners or etiquette.
- Blunder: A clumsy or embarrassing mistake.
- Awkwardness: The quality of being uncomfortable or lacking grace.
Antonyms
- Suavity: The quality of being charming, confident, and elegant.
- Tact: Skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues.
- Polish: Refinement or elegance in style or manner.
- Sophistication: The quality of being experienced and cultured.
Noun
- a socially awkward or tactless act
- the quality of being rustic or gauche