Pronunciation

/ɡæp/

Definitions

Noun (n)

1. A break or opening in something that is otherwise solid, continuous, or complete; for instance, a space between two buildings or a hole in a fence: “The fence had a gap where the dog could escape.”
2. A difference or disparity between two things: “There’s a significant gap in understanding between management and employees.”
3. A period of time between events or actions: “She took a gap year before starting college to travel.”
4. A deficiency or lack: “There’s a gap in our knowledge on this subject.”
5. In retail, a gap in the market refers to an unmet consumer need or demand for a product or service.

Verb (v)

6. To leave a gap or create a space: “The trees were planted so they wouldn’t gap too much as they grew.”
7. To bridge a gap means to connect or fill the space between two things, often figuratively: “The new program aims to bridge the gap between education and employment.”

Phrases

• “Mind the gap” is a warning phrase often heard on trains, reminding passengers to be careful of the space between the train and platform.
• “Gap analysis” refers to the process of comparing actual performance with desired performance to identify areas that require improvement.
• “Generation gap” denotes the differences in values and attitudes between one generation and another.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “The company plans to fill the skill gap by offering training programs.”
• Verb: “The retirement of several senior staff members will gap the leadership team significantly.”

Synonyms

• Breach
• Opening
• Space
• Void
• Interval
• Break
• Disparity
• Difference
• Hole
• Lapse (in time)