solecism UK /ˈsɒlɪsɪzəm/US /ˈsɑləsɪzəm/ noun3 •An error or improper usage. •An error in the use of language.Eliot and Gertrude Stein had a solemn conversation, mostly about split infinitives and other grammatical solecisms and why Gertrude Stein used them. — 1933 •A faux pas or breach of etiquette; a transgression against the norms of expected behavior. formssolecisms