adj
C2
Proficient
gauche
gohsh
Gauche (adj) means Socially awkward or clumsy; lacking tact or polish, and prone to embarrassing missteps. Example: “Bringing up her salary at dinner was a gauche move.”
adj
1
Socially awkward or clumsy; lacking tact or polish, and prone to embarrassing missteps.
"Bringing up her salary at dinner was a gauche move."
"He felt gauche next to the polished diplomats in the room."
2
In geometry, not lying flat in a single plane; twisted or skewed.
"The engineers modeled the gauche curve of the cable as it wound around the tower."
How to use gauche
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishClumsy or tactless in a social setting — the kind of behaviour that makes a room go quiet.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "gaudy" (showy, over-decorated) — gauche is about bad manners or social misjudgment, not appearance.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a gauche remark
gauche behaviour
considered gauche
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gauche.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Comparative
- more gauche, gaucher
- Superlative
- most gauche, gauchest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Bringing up her salary at dinner was a _____ move.
Etymology
From French gauche ("left, awkward"), ultimately traced back to a Frankish word for trampling or walking clumsily — the same idea that gives us "walk."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gauche
See all rhymes for gauche →Frequently asked questions
What does “gauche” mean?
The word “gauche” means socially awkward or clumsy; lacking tact or polish, and prone to embarrassing missteps. In plain terms, clumsy or tactless in a social setting — the kind of behaviour that makes a room go quiet.
How do you pronounce “gauche”?
“Gauche” is pronounced gohsh (/ɡoʊʃ/ in IPA).
How do you use “gauche” in a sentence?
Here is “gauche” used in a sentence: “Bringing up her salary at dinner was a gauche move.”
What is the opposite of “gauche”?
The opposite of “gauche” — its antonyms — is adroit.
What part of speech is “gauche”?
“Gauche” is an adjective.
Where does the word “gauche” come from?
The word “gauche” comes from French. From French gauche ("left, awkward"), ultimately traced back to a Frankish word for trampling or walking clumsily — the same idea that gives us "walk.".
How many meanings does “gauche” have?
“Gauche” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: socially awkward or clumsy; lacking tact or polish, and prone to embarrassing missteps.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include gauche:
