What does gaucherie mean?
Gaucherie is a formal noun for social awkwardness: a lack of grace, tact, or ease that makes a person’s behavior seem graceless or ill-judged. It can describe a general quality, as in “her gaucherie at formal dinners,” or the awkwardness of a particular incident, as when a diplomat commits a social gaffe. The word is used mainly in writing and in measured criticism; it is more pointed than “awkwardness,” because it implies a failure of social judgment as well as physical or verbal clumsiness. At the same time, it is generally more refined than “blunder” or “gaffe,” which often suggest a single conspicuous mistake. Gaucherie is common in both British and American English, though it is not frequent in casual conversation. Its French ancestry makes it particularly apt for describing behavior that feels affected, gauche, or socially maladroit.
nounSocial awkwardness or lack of the grace, tact, and ease expected in a particular situation.
- Lack of social grace, tact, or ease in one's behavior, especially as a social fault.
"A slight gaucherie in the speaker's tone made the criticism feel needlessly personal."
"A little gaucherie in the speaker's tone made the criticism feel needlessly personal."
"The young minister's gaucherie during his first diplomatic reception was widely regarded as an avoidable embarrassment."
The plural is possible but much less common than the usual uncountable or singular use.
"Each of the minister's social gaucheries was reported by the diplomatic staff."
Gaucherie comes from a French word associated with the left, but in English it has specialized into the art of being socially left-footed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gaucherie come from?
Gaucherie was borrowed into English from French gaucherie, a noun formed from the adjective gauche, meaning “awkward” or “not graceful.” French gauche also retains the sense “left,” as in gaucher, “left-handed,” although the English borrowing is associated with graceless behavior rather than direction. The English word became established during the 19th century and is now used chiefly for social or verbal awkwardness.
Related word forms
How gaucherie is actually used
Formal and relatively literary, with a mildly disapproving tone. It is more pointed than the general word “awkwardness,” but usually less blunt than “blunder” or “gaffe.”
Easily confused with gaucherie
Gauchery is a less common variant spelling of the same noun rather than a word with a different meaning.