gauche means awkward or lacking in social graces; bumbling; apt to make gaffes.
gauche is pronounced /ɡəʊʃ/.
Why “gauche” is a great word
Lacking social grace, sensitivity, or tact; awkward. From French gauche ('left, awkward'), from gauchir ('to veer, turn'), from Old French gaucher ('to trample, walk clumsily'), from Frankish *walkan ('to full, trample'), from Proto-Germanic *walkaną ('to full, roll up'); first used in English in 1751. Unlike 'adroit,' which implies skillful dexterity, or 'urbane,' which suggests polished courtesy, gauche is the conspicuous, clumsy veer away from such poise. It is the dropped fork that clatters in a hushed dining room, the ill-timed joke that lands like a stone, or the hand that reaches out a moment too late—the small, sincere stumble revealing how much of grace is merely a matter of perfect, unthinking timing.
Etymology
Borrowed from French gauche (“left, awkward”), from gauchir (“to veer, turn”), from Old French gaucher (“to trample, walk clumsily”), from Frankish *walkan (“to full, trample”), from Proto-Germanic *walkaną (“to full, roll up”). Akin to Old High German walchan (“to knead”), Old English wealcian (“to roll up, curl”) and English walk, Old Norse valka (“to drag about”). More at walk.
adj
- Awkward or lacking in social graces; bumbling; apt to make gaffes.e.g.“Seeking by vulgar pomp and gauche display
In 'good society', to make her way”
- Skewed, not plane.
- Having a torsion angle of 60°.
Words closest in meaning
By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.
- gaffe 86% match — A foolish and embarrassing error, especially one made in public; a social blunder; a breach of etiquette. vs gauche →
- uncouth 86% match — Unfamiliar, strange, foreign. vs gauche →
- adroit 84% match — deft, dexterous, or skillful vs gauche →
- maladdress 84% match — awkwardness, rudeness or a lack of politeness or tact when speaking to someone vs gauche →
- savoir-faire 83% match — The ability to do or say what is appropriate for the occasion. vs gauche →
- inelegance 83% match — The state or quality of being inelegant; lack of grace, refinement, beauty, or polish in language, composition, or manners. vs gauche →
- hobbledehoy 83% match — An awkward adolescent youth. vs gauche →
- tact 83% match — Sensitive mental touch; special skill or faculty; keen perception or discernment; ready power of appreciating and doing what is required by circumstances; the ability to say the right thing and avoid statements that will give offence or pain even if true. vs gauche →