Gauge
/ɡeɪdʒ/
nounverbB2
Definition
As a noun, a gauge is an instrument or device that shows the size, amount, or level of something, like pressure or temperature. As a verb, to gauge means to measure or judge something carefully, often to understand how much or how good it is.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Noun: A device or instrument to measure something
- •The pressure gauge showed the tire was low on air.
- •Use the fuel gauge to see how much gas is left in your car.
- •The temperature gauge on the oven helps you cook food at the right heat.
Verb: To measure or judge something carefully
- •It’s hard to gauge how people will react to the news.
- •She tried to gauge the distance before throwing the ball.
- •The teacher gauged the students’ understanding by asking questions.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "gauge" like "measure" (A1 word), but often with a tool or by careful judgment, not just counting or simple measuring.
- ✓Picture a car’s fuel gauge showing how much gas is left inside the tank.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you try to understand how someone feels by watching their face or behavior.
- ✓Sounds like "gauge" → imagine a stage where you watch carefully to see how good a performance is.
- ✓Think of a mechanic using a tool to check the pressure in a tire—that tool is a gauge.
- ✓NOT like "guess" (which is without tools or careful thought), "gauge" means you use some method or tool to be more exact.
- ✓NOT like "scale" (which usually measures weight), a gauge can measure many different things like pressure, temperature, or opinion.
- ✓NOT like "check" (which can be quick and simple), to gauge is often more careful and exact.
Try Other Words
- •Measure: to find the size, amount, or degree of something (Use when talking about basic or general measuring)
- •Estimate: to make a careful guess about size or amount (Use when the exact number is not known)
- •Assess: to judge or evaluate something carefully (Use when focusing on judgment or opinion rather than physical measurement)
- •Check: to look at or test something quickly (Use when the action is simple or informal)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no clear prefix or suffix; root word "gauge")
- •Etymology: From Old Northern French "gauge," meaning a measure or standard
- •Historical development: First used in English around the 14th century for measuring weights and sizes; later extended to tools and judgment
- •Modern usage: Used both as a noun for measuring instruments and as a verb for judging or estimating amounts or qualities
Reflect & Connect
•How do you decide when to gauge something carefully instead of just guessing?
•Can you think of situations where using a gauge (tool or judgment) is very important in daily life?
Fill in the blanks
1.The mechanic used a pressure gauge to ___ the air level inside the tire.
2.It is difficult to gauge someone’s feelings when they ___ their true emotions.
3.Unlike a quick guess, to gauge means to use some ___ or careful thought.
4.The fuel gauge showed ___ gas was left in the car’s tank.
5.When you gauge a situation, you often try to ___ the best action to take next.
6.People often gauge temperature by using a thermometer rather than just ___ it.
7.The teacher gauged the students’ progress by asking detailed ___ during the lesson.