desaire

Desaire is a term used in Spanish and Portuguese to denote a social slight, a snub, or an affront in interpersonal relations. It can also refer to a minor public embarrassment or a social misstep that draws attention to a lack of tact or courtesy. The sense is generally situational and relational rather than violent or criminal.

In Spanish, the noun desaire frequently appears in phrases such as hacer un desaire (to snub someone) or un desaire social, describing a display of discourtesy or disregard in social interaction. In Portuguese, desaire carries a closely related meaning, often describing a snub, an oversight, or an awkward moment in a social or diplomatic setting. In both languages the term can reflect intentional disregard or inadvertent disregard caused by poor etiquette.

Etymology is uncertain; desaire is attested in medieval and early modern Spanish and Portuguese. It is related to verbs and expressions that indicate disregard or affront, and is part of a family of terms used to discuss social tact and etiquette.

Desaire is used across literature, journalism, and everyday speech to describe how a person or action is treated as insulting or demeaning. It sits between stronger terms like insult or offense and more neutral notions of social misstep, highlighting tact and interpersonal dynamics. Related terms include snub, slight, faux pas, and affront.