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

1. a socially awkward or tactless act
2. the quality of being rustic or gauche