Do not tell us off, but yet again our Word of the Day is actually two words. However, these two words (faux pas) are generally used together to describe something that is embarrassing in a social situation or a tactless action or remark in conversation.
The ‘word’ faux pas is actually a noun. A noun is a naming word. You may be for thinking that faux pas is a verb (a doing word), but faux pas is the name of doing something embarrassing rather than the actual act of making the tactless/embarrassing mark by the individual in question.
Write Correctly has pages where you can read more about nouns and verbs.
What is the Meaning of Faux Pas?
The Cambridge Dictionary definitions of faux pas are:
‘a remark or action in a social situation that is a mistake and causes embarrassment or offense‘
and
‘words or behaviour that are a social mistake or not polite‘
Example sentences that contain ‘faux pas’ include:
- David made a remark about the lady’s singing, which was a major faux pas.
- Some people consider that wearing bright white socks with smart trousers and shoes is a fashion faux pas.
- Running on a wet service is a faux pas because you are likely to slip and be embarrassed, not to mention hurt yourself.
‘Faux pas‘ is the Word of the Day for 10th September 2020 here at Write Correctly.
Hopefully, this post has been helpful and the Word of the Day posts on this website are helping to expand your vocabulary. Do not forget to bookmark this website of you have found the content useful.
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