How to pronounce gaffe
Say it like GAF. Gaffe is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gaffe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GAF
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gaffe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GAFSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of gaffe
American and British speakers say gaffe in essentially the same way: /ɡæf/ in the US and /ɡæf/ in the UK.
British respelling: GAF.
What does gaffe mean?
- A foolish and embarrassing error, especially one made in public; a social blunder; a breach of etiquette.“make a gaffe”
Where does gaffe come from?
From French gaffe (“blunder”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with gaffe
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of gaffe.
Words that sound like gaffe
Questions about saying gaffe
How do you pronounce gaffe?
Say GAF. The American pronunciation is /ɡæf/. In British English it is /ɡæf/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gaffe?
Gaffe is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: GAF.
Do Americans and Brits say gaffe the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ɡæf/ and the British form is /ɡæf/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.
What words sound the same as gaffe?
Gaffe sounds the same as gaff in American English. The spelling and meaning are what tell them apart.