Meaning & use
gauges
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“gauges” is a form of “gauge”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
nounplural
Instruments with a dial or scale that measure something such as pressure, fuel or temperature.
Grammar: Plural of gauge: check the gauges on the dashboard.
Patterns
- gauges on something
- check the gauges
The pilot checked the fuel and speed gauges before takeoff.
The dashboard has gauges for temperature and oil pressure.
Mechanics use gauges to measure the tire pressure.
nounpluraltechnical
Standard measures of the thickness or width of things such as wire, sheet metal, a shotgun barrel or railway track.
Grammar: Used with a number or type: different wire gauges.
Patterns
- wire gauges
- narrow gauges
Electricians choose among thick and thin wire gauges depending on the current.
The museum train runs on narrow gauges that are older than the main lines.
Jewelry makers sell silver wire in several gauges.
verbtransitive
Judges or estimates something such as feelings, size or likelihood, usually after careful observation.
Grammar: Third-person singular: she gauges the mood.
Patterns
- gauge something
- gauge whether something
She gauges the mood of the room before she starts speaking.
The survey gauges how people feel about the new law.
He gauges the distance by eye before he jumps.
Word forms
| singular | gauge |
|---|---|
| verb: past tense | gauged |
| verb: -ing form | gauging |
Common combinations
- fuel gauges
- The fuel gauges showed that the tank was nearly empty.
- pressure gauges
- The pressure gauges are checked every morning.
- check the gauges
- Always check the gauges before you start the engine.
- gauges the reaction
- The speaker gauges the reaction of the crowd.
- wire gauges
- Different wire gauges carry different amounts of current.
Synonyms and how they differ
- meters
- Meters measure and record a quantity, often continuously, while gauges usually show a reading on a dial or scale.
- indicators
- Indicators give a signal of a condition, which may be a light, not necessarily a numbered scale.
- measures
- Measures is a general word for standard units or tools and is less specific than gauges.
- judges
- As a verb, judges is wider and may include opinions, while gauges suggests estimating by careful observation.
Word family
Commonly confused: gauges or gouges? gauges or gages?
gauges vs gouges
Gouges, spelled with ou, are deep cuts or the tools that make them, and the word sounds different.
gauges vs gages
Gages is a rare old spelling or a different word meaning pledges, and gauges is the usual modern form.
Practice
The nurse quickly ____ how nervous the patient was by watching her hands.
Choose one answer.
Gauges as a verb means judges or estimates. Gouges means digs deep cuts, and gauze is a thin cloth.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “gauges”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.