gap

[ gap ]

/ gæp /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: gap / gapped / gapping / gaps on Thesaurus.com

noun

a break or opening, as in a fence, wall, or military line; breach: We found a gap in the enemy's line of fortifications.

an empty space or interval; interruption in continuity; hiatus: a momentary gap in a siren's wailing; a gap in his memory.

a wide divergence or difference; disparity: the gap between expenses and income; the gap between ideals and actions.

a difference or disparity in attitudes, perceptions, character, or development, or a lack of confidence or understanding, perceived as creating a problem: the technology gap; a communications gap.

a deep, sloping ravine or cleft through a mountain ridge.

Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a mountain pass: the Cumberland Gap.

Aeronautics. the distance between one supporting surface of an airplane and another above or below it.

verb (used with object), gapped, gap·ping.

to make a gap, opening, or breach in.

verb (used without object), gapped, gap·ping.

to come open or apart; form or show a gap.

OTHER WORDS FOR gap

2 pause, interstice, break, interlude, lull.

See synonyms for gap on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of gap

1350–1400; Middle English <Old Norse gap chasm

OTHER WORDS FROM gap

gapless, adjective

Words nearby gap

Gao, gaol, Gaon, Gao Xingjian, Gaoxiong, gap, gape, gaper, gapes, gapeseed, gapeworm

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gap in a sentence

Over the past 230 years, the population gap between the smallest and largest states has only grown.
America needs a democratic revolution|Matthew Yglesias|September 17, 2020|Vox
Identify areas that can be approved and understand your content gaps that need additional content to support the demand.
How to drive digital innovation necessary during the pandemic|Nick Chasinov|September 16, 2020|Search Engine Watch
That margin applies to estimates of support for each candidate, rather than the gap between them.
Post-ABC poll and others suggest Minnesota has shifted since 2016, but by how much?|Scott Clement, Dan Balz|September 16, 2020|Washington Post
The tool will analyze your competitors’ backlinks and find the backlink gap — websites that link to your competitors, but not you.
8 major Google ranking factors — SEO guide|Sponsored Content: SEO PowerSuite|September 15, 2020|Search Engine Land

Matching struggling students with tutors 1-to-1 or 2-to-1 is a surefire way to help close opportunity gaps, says Matthew Kraft, a Brown University education economics researcher.
Creative school plans could counter inequities exposed by COVID-19|Sujata Gupta|September 8, 2020|Science News
In straight relationships with an age gap, words like ‘gold-digger’ and ‘trophy wife’ get thrown around.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But most of this gap, say the researchers who carried out the study, is due to discrimination.
How Good Dads Can Change the World|Gary Barker, PhD, Michael Kaufman|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Since then, the rising gap between the rich and middle- and lower-income families has risen to the fore.
Christie Blames Parents for Bad Economy|Monica Potts|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
No approving remarks for the growing gap between rich and poor.
Jesus Wasn’t Born Rich. Think About It.|Gene Robinson|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The best, or at least most successful, are bridging the gap between punk-rock DIY ethos and social-media savvy.
On Tour With The Head and the Heart, Indie Rock’s Next Big Thing|James Joiner|December 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A pang, a bitterness that lasted for a day or for a year—and the gap would be filled again by some one else.
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
Bran or horse-dung inside was a good thing as a stop-gap, though it added not to the strength of the boiler.
Life of Richard Trevithick, Volume II (of 2)|Francis Trevithick
The tall man leaped over just there; and the Jew, running a few paces to the right, crept through that gap.
Oliver Twist, Vol. II (of 3)|Charles Dickens
Then you're the chap who covered the trail between Phœnix and Potter's Gap yesterday afternoon?
Motor Matt's "Century" Run|Stanley R. Matthews
Before he could recover, a figure was flying through the open gap that lately had been a window.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for gap

gap

/ (ɡæp) /

noun

a break or opening in a wall, fence, etc

a break in continuity; interruption; hiatusthere is a serious gap in the accounts

a break in a line of hills or mountains affording a route through

mainly US a gorge or ravine

a divergence or difference; disparitythere is a gap between his version of the event and hers; the generation gap

electronics

a break in a magnetic circuit that increases the inductance and saturation point of the circuit
See spark gap

bridge a gap, close a gap, fill a gap or stop a gap to remedy a deficiency

verb gaps, gapping or gapped

(tr) to make a breach or opening in

Derived forms of gap

gapless, adjectivegappy, adjective

Word Origin for gap

C14: from Old Norse gap chasm; related to gapa to gape, Swedish gap, Danish gab open mouth, opening

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012