Meaning & use
gatekeep
Last updated
Meaning
verbtransitive or intransitive
To decide who may take part in or enjoy something and keep others out, often unfairly.
Grammar: Can take an object (gatekeep a hobby) or stand alone (stop gatekeeping).
Patterns
- gatekeep something
- gatekeep who can do something
Some fans gatekeep the band by mocking newer listeners.
Stop gatekeeping the hobby; let beginners join in.
The editors were accused of gatekeeping who gets published.
Word forms
| third person singular | gatekeeps |
|---|---|
| past tense | gatekept |
| past participle | gatekept |
| -ing form | gatekeeping |
Common combinations
- accused of gatekeeping
- The club was accused of gatekeeping.
- stop gatekeeping
- We should stop gatekeeping basic information.
- gatekeep a hobby
- Fans sometimes gatekeep a hobby.
- gatekeep knowledge
- Experts shouldn't gatekeep knowledge.
- gatekeep culture
- Critics said the awards gatekeep culture.
Synonyms and how they differ
- exclude
- Exclude is neutral and formal, while gatekeep suggests someone deciding who is worthy.
- restrict
- Restrict means to limit access, but gatekeep implies a personal attitude of controlling who belongs.
- monopolize
- Monopolize means to keep something all to yourself, while gatekeep controls who else may join.
- shut out
- Shut out is a plain phrase for keeping people away, whereas gatekeep points to the one holding the gate.
Opposites
Word family
- gatekeeper noun
- someone who controls access to something
- gatekeeping noun
- the act of controlling who can join or access
- gate noun
- a hinged barrier in a fence or wall
- keeper noun
- someone who guards or looks after something
Commonly confused: gatekeep or gatekeeper?
gatekeep vs gatekeeper
A gatekeeper is the person; to gatekeep is the verb. Gatekeeper can be neutral (a security guard) while gatekeep usually criticizes.
Practice
Which situation best fits the word 'gatekeep'?
Choose one answer.
Gatekeep means unfairly deciding who counts as belonging. A guard checking tickets is just doing a job, and helping beginners is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gatekeep”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.