Meaning & use
gas cap
Last updated
UK/ˈɡæs kæp/
US/ˈɡæs kæp/
Meaning
nouncountableAmerican
A removable cover that seals the opening where you put fuel into a vehicle.
Grammar: Countable; you can say 'a gas cap' or 'the gas cap'.
Patterns
- open the gas cap
- tighten the gas cap
- replace the gas cap
- the gas cap is loose
Before filling up, unscrew the gas cap.
A loose gas cap can cause the check engine light to come on.
He lost his gas cap at the gas station and had to buy a new one.
Word forms
| plural | gas caps |
|---|
Common combinations
- loose gas cap
- A loose gas cap can trigger a warning light.
- tighten the gas cap
- Always tighten the gas cap until it clicks.
- gas cap cover
- The gas cap cover is on the rear side of the car.
- replace the gas cap
- You should replace the gas cap if the seal is damaged.
Synonyms and how they differ
- petrol cap
- The British English term for the same object; use it in British contexts.
- fuel cap
- A more general term that can refer to the cap on any fuel tank, not just gasoline.
Practice
What is a gas cap?
Choose one answer.
A gas cap is the removable cover that seals the fuel tank opening. It is not clothing, a purchase limit, or a container.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gas cap”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.
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