ENGLISH
REFERENCE

gap

n. · v.
US //ˈɡæp// UK //ɡˈæp// gap
  1. 1 physical space (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    an empty space between two physical objects.

    a physical opening or break in a continuous structure or between two objects.

    Example

    The sheep managed to squeeze through a small gap in the fence.

    Example

    The surveyor noted a significant gap between the two structural beams, suggesting that the foundation had shifted during the winter.
  2. 2 time or sequence (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a period of time when nothing happens or something is missing.

    an interruption in continuity or a period of time where an activity is suspended.

    Example

    There was a long gap between the first and second seasons of the show.

    Example

    After a ten-year gap in her employment history, she found it challenging to re-enter the competitive legal market.
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  1. 3 difference or disparity (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a big difference between two groups, such as rich and poor people.

    a metaphorical distance or disparity between two sets of people, ideas, or statistics.

    Example

    The government is trying to close the gap between the rich and the poor.

    Example

    Sociologists are concerned that the digital gap is widening as technology becomes more expensive and essential for basic education.
  2. 4 missing information (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic

    something that is missing from a story or a set of information.

    a deficiency or lack of something needed to complete a whole, such as knowledge or evidence.

    Example

    There are several gaps in his story that make it hard to believe.

    Example

    The researcher identified a critical gap in the existing literature regarding the long-term effects of microplastics on soil health.
  3. 5 mountain pass (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English

    a low place between two mountains that people can travel through.

    a deep sloping pass or notch through a mountain range.

    Example

    The pioneers traveled through the Cumberland Gap to reach the west.

    Example

    The narrow gap provided the only viable route for the railway to cross the rugged mountain range without extensive tunneling.
  4. 6 to leave a space (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical

    to open up or leave a space between things.

    to create an opening or to fall open so as to leave a space.

    Example

    The floorboards began to gap as the old wood dried out.

    Example

    The heavy curtains were poorly fitted and gapped at the bottom, allowing light to spill into the dark room.
  5. 7 to outrun (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Slang Sport

    to move much faster than someone else in a race.

    to increase the distance between oneself and a competitor by a significant margin.

    Example

    The lead runner gapped the rest of the pack in the final mile.

    Example

    By the third lap, the champion cyclist had gapped the peloton, leaving his rivals struggling to maintain his aggressive pace.
Etymology 1

From Middle English gap, gappe, from Old Norse gap (“an empty space, gap, chasm”), from gapa (“to gape, scream”), from Proto-Germanic gapōną, from Proto-Indo-European ǵʰeh₂- (“to open wide, gape”). Related to Danish gab (“an expanse, space, gap”), Old English ġeap (“open space, expanse”). Doublet of gape.

Etymology 2

A variant of gape.

Idioms2 entries

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