GAUGE
What does "GAUGE" mean?
An instrument for measuring something, or a standard of size, thickness, or amount.
Meanings
- An instrument that measures and displays a quantity such as pressure, fuel, or temperature. The fuel gauge was hovering just above empty.
- A standard measurement of thickness, diameter, or size, as of wire, sheet metal, or shotguns. Thinner wire has a higher gauge number, which confuses everyone. technical
- The distance between the rails of a railway track. The two countries' trains couldn't connect because their track gauge differed. technical
- To measure or estimate something, especially carefully. She paused to gauge the mood of the room before speaking.
Did you know?
- Shotgun gauge runs backwards: a 12-gauge is bigger than a 20-gauge because the number counts how many same-bore lead balls weigh one pound - more balls per pound means a smaller barrel.
Word origin
From Old North French 'gauge' (a measuring rod or standard), of uncertain origin; the spelling with 'au' is one of English's notorious traps, often misspelled 'guage'.
Remember it
GAUGE: 'Gus And Ursula Gauge Everything'. The tricky 'AU' comes before the 'GE' - remember A-U, not U-A.
A little poem
The needle leans toward red-
you weigh the distance left
against the road's slow promise.
tercet
Wordplay
- I couldn't gauge whether the spelling test was hard. Then I had to spell 'gauge'.
What it teaches
Before you act, gauge the room - the right thing said at the wrong moment lands like the wrong thing.
Quick facts
What does GAUGE mean?
An instrument for measuring something, or a standard of size, thickness, or amount.
Is GAUGE a valid word?
Yes — GAUGE is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is GAUGE?
GAUGE has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does GAUGE come from?
From Old North French 'gauge' (a measuring rod or standard), of uncertain origin; the spelling with 'au' is one of English's notorious traps, often misspelled 'guage'.
What can GAUGE teach us?
Before you act, gauge the room - the right thing said at the wrong moment lands like the wrong thing.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.