Meaning & use
gauge
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Meanings
verbtransitive
To form an estimate of something that is hard to measure exactly, such as a mood or reaction.
Grammar: Takes an object: gauge the mood of the room.
Patterns
- gauge something
- gauge whether/how something
The teacher watched faces to gauge how much the class understood.
It was hard to gauge her reaction through the screen.
Surveys help companies gauge public interest in a product.
verbtransitivetechnical
To measure the amount or size of something with a tool.
Grammar: Takes an object and refers to physical measurement: gauge the depth of the well.
Patterns
- gauge something with something
Engineers gauged the thickness of the metal with a caliper.
The farmer gauged the rainfall in a plastic cylinder.
A dipstick lets you gauge the oil level.
nouncountable
A device that shows or measures the amount, level or size of something.
Grammar: Often a compound: fuel gauge, tire pressure gauge.
Patterns
- a gauge of something
- a gauge on something
The fuel gauge was almost on empty.
He checked the tire gauge before the long drive.
A rain gauge stood in the corner of the garden.
nouncountable
Something that helps you judge a situation, or a standard measure of thickness or width, such as of wire or a railway track.
Grammar: Often followed by of: a gauge of public opinion.
Patterns
- a gauge of something
Sales figures are a useful gauge of the shop's health.
The railway used a narrow gauge in the mountains.
Thicker wire has a lower gauge number.
Word forms
| third person singular | gauges |
|---|---|
| past tense | gauged |
| past participle | gauged |
| -ing form | gauging |
| plural | gauges |
Common combinations
- gauge public opinion
- The poll tried to gauge public opinion on the new tax.
- gauge a reaction
- He paused to gauge her reaction before continuing.
- fuel gauge
- The fuel gauge dropped as we climbed the hill.
- pressure gauge
- A pressure gauge showed the tank was nearly full.
- accurately gauge
- It is difficult to accurately gauge the damage from a distance.
Synonyms and how they differ
- assess
- Assess suggests a careful, often formal evaluation, while gauge is quicker and more instinctive.
- estimate
- Estimate focuses on producing an approximate number, whereas gauge often judges a feeling or attitude.
- measure
- Measure usually implies exact figures with a tool, while gauge allows rough judgment.
- judge
- Judge stresses forming an opinion about quality or character, not working out an amount or level.
Word family
Commonly confused: gauge or gouge?
gauge vs gouge
Gouge means to cut or scoop out a rough groove, and it is pronounced /ɡaʊdʒ/, not like gauge.
Practice
Before pitching her idea, Rosa watched the investors' faces to ______ their interest.
Choose one answer.
Gauge means to judge or estimate how strong something is. Gaze means to look steadily, which is tempting but does not take interest as an object.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gauge”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.