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Gaps: meaning, definitions and examples

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gaps

 

[ɡæps ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

in a sentence

Gaps refer to spaces or openings between objects or structures that are not filled or closed. These spaces can vary in size and can be found in various environments.

Synonyms

break, interval, opening, space.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gaps

Used to describe a space or opening between two things, often in contexts where something is missing or there is a discontinuity.

  • There are gaps in the data set.
  • Mind the gaps between the floorboards.
space

Used to refer to an unoccupied area or room available for use. Can be physical or figurative.

  • There's enough space for a new sofa in the living room.
  • She needed some space to think about her decision.
opening

Refers to a space or gap that allows entry or access, or a beginning of an event, opportunity, or period.

  • The cave had a narrow opening.
  • There is an opening in the company for a new position.
interval

Describes a period of time between two events or activities, usually in a formal or scheduled context.

  • The music piece has an interval of silence between movements.
  • There is a five-minute interval between classes.
break

Refers to a temporary pause or interruption in an ongoing activity, often used in work or academic settings.

  • Let's take a break after this meeting.
  • She needs a break from studying.

Examples of usage

  • Please be careful not to step in the gap between the train and the platform.
  • She noticed a gap in the fence where the dog had escaped.
  • The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen.
  • Mind the gap between the tiles on the floor.
  • The student identified a gap in the research that needed to be addressed.
Context #2 | Verb

in a sentence

When used as a verb, gaps mean to create a space or opening between objects or structures. It can also refer to missing information or elements that need to be filled in.

Synonyms

bridge, create space, divide, separate.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
gaps

Best used to describe physical or metaphorical spaces that are missing or lacking between things.

  • There are gaps in the fence that need to be fixed.
  • The gaps in our knowledge about space are vast.
separate

Commonly used to indicate that things were once together and now are apart, often referring to both physical separation and abstract divisions.

  • The teacher will separate the students into groups.
  • They decided to separate their professional and personal lives.
divide

Mostly used to talk about separating something into parts, whether physically, mathematically, or figuratively. It often has a negative connotation when referring to people or groups.

  • We should divide the cake evenly among everyone.
  • This issue has the potential to divide the community.
create space

Used when explicitly making room or creating an opportunity for something new, either physically or figuratively.

  • We need to create space in the garage for the new car.
  • Let's create space in the schedule for some relaxation time.
bridge

Commonly used to refer to physical structures that connect two places or metaphorically to describe actions or things that connect people or ideas.

  • They built a new bridge over the river.
  • We need to bridge the gap between the two communities.

Examples of usage

  • She carefully gapped the plants in the garden to allow them room to grow.
  • The writer needs to gap the bridge between the introduction and the main body of the essay.
  • There is a gap in our knowledge about this period of history that needs further research.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'gap' comes from the Old Norse word 'gappi', which means 'yawning.' It was used to describe an opening or space.
  • In English, the term was first recorded in the mid-15th century, suggesting a break or hole in something.
  • Related words include 'gape' which means to open wide, emphasizing the concept of an opening.

Mathematics

  • In statistics, gaps can represent missing data points, which can significantly affect the outcome of analyses.
  • In geometry, gaps may refer to the spaces between two lines or shapes, impacting properties like area and perimeter.
  • Gaps can be visually represented in graphs, where empty spaces indicate lack of information or discontinuity.

Sociology

  • In a social context, gaps can refer to inequalities—like income gaps between different groups, indicating disparities in wealth.
  • Educational gaps highlight differences in knowledge and access to resources among students, often affecting their opportunities.
  • Communication gaps occur when there is a misunderstanding or lack of interaction between people or groups.

Technology

  • In network security, informational gaps can become vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit.
  • Gaps in software design often result in bugs or errors that affect user experience and require updates to fix.
  • In data analysis, identifying gaps in datasets can lead to new insights or discoveries.

Art and Literature

  • In storytelling, gaps can create suspense or enhance the plot by leaving certain elements ambiguous.
  • Visual art often uses negative space (or gaps) to highlight subjects and create balance in the composition.
  • Literature sometimes features 'gaps' in narratives where the reader must infer missing details, enhancing engagement.

Translations

Translations of the word "gaps" in other languages:

🇵🇹 lacunas

🇮🇳 अंतराल

🇩🇪 Lücken

🇮🇩 celah

🇺🇦 прогалини

🇵🇱 luki

🇯🇵 隙間 (すきま)

🇫🇷 lacunes

🇪🇸 huecos

🇹🇷 boşluklar

🇰🇷 틈

🇸🇦 فجوات

🇨🇿 mezery

🇸🇰 medzery

🇨🇳 间隙

🇸🇮 vrzeli

🇮🇸 eyður

🇰🇿 бос орындар

🇬🇪 ცარიელი ადგილები

🇦🇿 boşluqlar

🇲🇽 huecos

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,727 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.