gap
pronunciation
How to pronounce gap in British English:
UK [ɡæp]
How to pronounce gap in American English:
US [ɡæp]
-
- Noun:
- a conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures
- an open or empty space in or between things
- a narrow opening
- a pass between mountain peaks
- an act of delaying or interrupting the continuity
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- Verb:
- make an opening or gap in
Word Origin
- gap (n.)
- early 14c., "an opening in a wall or hedge; a break, a breach," mid-13c. in place names, from Old Norse gap "chasm, empty space," related to gapa "to gape, open the mouth wide," common Proto-Germanic (cognates: Middle Dutch, Dutch gapen, German gaffen "to gape, stare," Swedish gapa, Danish gabe), from PIE *ghai- "to yawn, gape" (see yawn (v.)). From late 14c. as "a break or opening between mountains;" broader sense "unfilled space or interval, any hiatus or interruption" is from c. 1600. In U.S., common in place names in reference to a deep break or pass in a long mountain chain (especially one that water flows through), a feature in the middle Appalachians.
- gap (v.)
- 1847, "to make gaps" (transitive); 1948 "to have gaps" (intransitive), from gap (n.). Related: Gapped; gapping.
Example
- 1. It 's always tricky to explain a gap in your resume .
- 2. An opportunity gap is the difference between our current performance and what we'recapableof doing .
- 3. As the economy contracts , that budget gap is projected to grow .
- 4. The second gap is the cost .
- 5. How can I find a gap year job inamerica ?