stopgap

American  

[stop-gap] / ˈstɒpˌgæp /

noun

1. something that fills the place of something else that is lacking; temporary substitute; makeshift.

   Candles are a stopgap when the electricity fails.

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adjective

1. makeshift.

   This is only a stopgap solution.

   Synonyms:

   impromptu, substitute, temporary, improvised

stopgap British  

/ ˈstɒpˌɡæp /

noun

1. 1. a temporary substitute for something else

   2. ( as modifier )

      a stopgap programme

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Etymology

Origin of stopgap

First recorded in 1525–35; noun, adj. use of verb phrase stop a gap

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Explanation

A stopgap is a temporary solution to a problem, like a piece of cardboard taped over the broken window in your car. Until you can get it fixed, you need a stopgap. This sturdy English native dates to the early 16th century, and like its semantic cousin makeshift, it seems to have been cobbled together by the two closest words at hand. Both words actually originated from phrasal use of their components: stop a gap for the first, and make shift for the second. Not that they're jury-rigged in any way!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

stopgap

"This budget will largely be a stopgap that will tide the government over before a more significant policy overhaul in 2027," said Alexander Harvey, UK economist at Oxford Economics.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

“It was meant to be a three-year stopgap until we came up with something better,” he said.

From Salon ● Jul. 4, 2026

As a stopgap, the VA brought on a private security firm in June to provide uniformed 24-hour “observe and report” sentry posts and roving patrols.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

Yet this is only a stopgap in addressing the larger problem.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026

As a stopgap measure, while he searched for a fe­male, Father thought of seeing if Peak couldn’t be accustomed to living with goats.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel

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