gauge
gb/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/ us/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
B2
English
~ 6300
felmér, mér, mérőműszer, mérő, méret, kaliber, mutató, mérce, méretez, vmihez igazít
VERB
B2
1
felmér
B1
Usage pattern:
to gauge [something]
It’s hard to gauge how customers will respond to the new design.
Nehéz felmérni, hogyan fognak reagálni a vásárlók az új dizájnra.
The manager tried to gauge the mood of the team before announcing the changes.
A vezető megpróbálta felmérni a csapat hangulatát, mielőtt bejelentette volna a változásokat.
Politicians use social media to gauge public opinion on major issues.
We need to gauge interest before we invest money in the project.
From his silence, I couldn’t gauge whether he agreed or not.
Learner examples
The teacher wants to gauge what the students already know.
A tanár szeretné felmérni, mit tudnak már a diákok.
I looked at her face to gauge if she was happy.
Az arcát figyeltem, hogy felmérjem, boldog-e.
The company sent a survey to gauge customer interest.
It is difficult to gauge how long the work will take.
He asked many questions to gauge my level of English.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only "guess" where English speakers prefer the more careful, thoughtful idea of "gauge" or "assess" in formal or semi-formal contexts. Another common mistake is using an object that does not fit this sense, for example, saying *"gauge a number"* when they mean to calculate it exactly; in that case, "calculate" or "measure" is better.
Meaning
carefully estimate amount or mood
Collocations
gauge the mood
|gauge interest
|gauge reaction
|gauge public opinion
|gauge the impact
|gauge demand
Synonyms
assess (more formal; often used in business, academic, or official contexts)
|
estimate (focuses more on approximate amount or number, less on feeling or reaction)
|
judge (can sound more personal or subjective than "gauge")
Antonyms
ignore (to pay no attention instead of carefully considering something)
|
misjudge (to judge something wrongly instead of gauging it accurately)
Themes
thinking
|communication
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to guess something carefully, using information or experience, not an exact measurement
To make a careful estimate or judgment about the amount, level, strength, or mood of something, especially when it cannot be measured exactly.
VERB
B2
2
mér
A2
Usage pattern:
to gauge [size/pressure/temperature]
Technicians use this device to gauge the pressure inside the pipes.
A technikusok ezzel az eszközzel mérik a csövekben lévő nyomást.
Before painting, you should gauge the moisture level in the wall.
Festés előtt meg kell mérni a fal nedvességtartalmát.
The engineer gauged the thickness of the metal sheets.
Divers must gauge the depth carefully before going down further.
We need to gauge the temperature of the engine to avoid overheating.
Learner examples
He used a tool to gauge the size of the hole.
Egy szerszámmal lemérte a lyuk méretét.
The mechanic gauged the pressure in the car tires.
A szerelő megmérte az autógumik nyomását.
You should gauge the depth of the water before you jump.
The doctor gauged my blood oxygen level with a small device.
Workers gauged the distance between the two buildings.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "gauge" here when a simpler verb like "measure" is more natural in everyday English. Also, they may forget that this sense usually needs a physical thing as an object, so phrases like *"gauge the happiness"* belong to the more figurative sense of judging, not this measuring-with-a-tool sense.
Meaning
measure exactly with a device
Collocations
gauge the pressure
|gauge the temperature
|gauge the thickness
|gauge the distance
|gauge the depth
|carefully gauged
Synonyms
measure (more general and common; does not always suggest a special instrument)
|
test (emphasizes checking performance or safety, not just size or amount)
|
check (less formal and less precise; often used in everyday speech instead of "gauge")
Antonyms
guess (to say an amount without using any measurement or tool)
Themes
science
|technology
|work
Definition
to measure how big, deep, or strong something is, usually with a special tool
To measure the size, amount, or level of something, especially using a special tool or instrument.
NOUN
B2
3
mérőműszer
B2
mérő
B1
Usage pattern:
a [type] gauge
The fuel gauge on my car is broken, so I never know when the tank is empty.
Elromlott az autómban az üzemanyagszint-jelző, ezért sosem tudom, mikor üres a tank.
Check the pressure gauge to make sure the boiler is safe.
Ellenőrizd a nyomásmérőt, hogy meggyőződj róla, biztonságos-e a kazán.
The temperature gauge shows that the engine is overheating.
Most modern aircraft have digital gauges instead of old-style dials.
The water gauge on the side of the tank helps you see how full it is.
Learner examples
I looked at the fuel gauge and saw it was on empty.
Ránéztem az üzemanyagszint-jelzőre, és láttam, hogy üreset mutat.
The pressure gauge shows if the air in the tire is low.
A nyomásmérő megmutatja, ha kevés a levegő a gumiban.
There is a temperature gauge on the oven door.
The car has many gauges on the dashboard.
The oil gauge tells the driver if there is a problem.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "gauge" (the device) with the verb "to gauge" (to measure or estimate). They may also spell it incorrectly as *"gage"*, which is a less common variant and usually not used in this sense.
Meaning
instrument that shows an amount
Collocations
fuel gauge
|pressure gauge
|temperature gauge
|water gauge
|oil gauge
|dashboard gauge
Synonyms
meter (a very close synonym; often used in electricity and gas contexts)
|
indicator (a more general word for something that shows information, not always a physical dial)
Themes
technology
|transport
|science
Definition
a tool or part of a machine that shows how much of something there is, like fuel, heat, or pressure
A device with a scale or display that shows the amount, level, or pressure of something such as fuel, heat, or speed.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
Usage pattern:
[number]-gauge [material]
Use a thicker wire; this gauge is too light for that amount of current.
Használj vastagabb vezetéket; ez a méret túl vékony ekkora áramerősséghez.
The nurse chose a smaller needle gauge for the child.
Az ápoló kisebb tűméretet választott a gyereknek.
Different countries historically used different rail gauges on their train tracks.
The pipes come in various gauges, depending on how much water they need to carry.
These guitar strings are a heavier gauge than the ones you used before.
Learner examples
He bought 12-gauge wire for the project.
12 AWG-s vezetéket vett a projekthez.
The nurse asked which needle gauge I preferred.
Az ápoló megkérdezte, milyen tűméretet szeretnék.
This shotgun uses a different gauge of ammunition.
The two rail lines have a different gauge, so the trains cannot use both.
We need a thicker gauge of metal for this part.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that "gauge" here is a technical standard, not just a casual description. They might say *"a big gauge wire"* instead of the more natural *"a heavier gauge wire"* or use "gauge" where a simple word like "size" would be clearer in non-technical contexts.
Meaning
standard size or thickness rating
Collocations
wire gauge
|needle gauge
|shotgun gauge
|railway gauge
|track gauge
|fine gauge
Synonyms
thickness (describes the physical quality but is less precise and not a formal standard number)
|
size (very general; does not carry the idea of an agreed technical standard)
|
caliber (used mainly for guns and ammunition; close in meaning in those contexts)
Themes
technology
|engineering
|transport
|science
Definition
a number or name that shows how thick, wide, or big something is, like wire, needles, or rail tracks
A standard unit or number used to describe the size, thickness, or capacity of something, especially wire, needles, or shotgun barrels.
NOUN
C1
5
Usage pattern:
a [adjective] gauge of [something]
Exam results are only one gauge of a student’s ability.
A vizsgaeredmény csak az egyik mutatója egy diák képességeinek.
Audience size is a useful gauge of public interest in the show.
A nézőszám hasznos mutatója a műsor iránti közérdeklődésnek.
Your reaction is a good gauge of how ready the team is for change.
Customer reviews can be a rough gauge of product quality.
Crime statistics are often used as a gauge of how safe an area is.
Learner examples
Money is not the only gauge of success.
A pénz nem az egyetlen mércéje a sikernek.
Test scores are a poor gauge of real knowledge.
A teszteredmények gyenge mutatói a valódi tudásnak.
The number of views is a good gauge of how popular the video is.
This survey is a simple gauge of customer happiness.
Attendance is a rough gauge of student interest.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "gauge" by itself where a full phrase like "a good gauge of" is more natural, for example, saying *"This is a gauge"* instead of *"This is a good gauge of performance."* They may also confuse this sense with the physical device, not realizing it is being used more abstractly.
Meaning
indicator of a level or quality
Collocations
a good gauge of
|a reliable gauge of
|a useful gauge of
|a poor gauge of
|a rough gauge of
|a true gauge of
Synonyms
indicator (very close in meaning; often used in statistics and economics)
|
measure (slightly more general; often used in phrases like "a measure of success")
|
barometer (metaphorical; often used for something that shows changes in public opinion or conditions)
Antonyms
misleading indicator (something that gives a false idea instead of a clear, helpful gauge)
Themes
thinking
|business
|society
|core_vocabulary
|education
Definition
a thing that helps you understand how high, low, good, or bad something is
Something that is used as a standard or sign for judging the level, value, or quality of something else, especially something abstract.
VERB
C2
TECHNICAL
6
méretez
B2
Usage pattern:
to be gauged to [fit/match something]
The springs are carefully gauged to support the weight of the door.
A rugókat gondosan úgy méretezik, hogy elbírják az ajtó súlyát.
This content is gauged for younger audiences.
Ezt a tartalmat fiatalabb közönséghez igazították.
The safety system is gauged to withstand extreme temperatures.
The components must be precisely gauged to fit together with no gaps.
The dosage is gauged according to the patient’s weight.
Learner examples
The machine is gauged to work with heavy loads.
A gépet nagy terhelésre méretezték.
The lesson is gauged for beginner students.
A leckét kezdő diákokhoz igazították.
The walls were gauged to the correct thickness.
The dose is gauged to the size of the animal.
The parts are gauged so they fit perfectly.
Common mistake:
This sense is less common, and learners may confuse it with the more general sense of "to gauge" meaning "to estimate". They might also try to use it transitively in places where English prefers a passive form, for example, saying *"They gauged the lesson for children"* instead of the more natural *"The lesson is gauged for children."*
Meaning
adjust to a chosen standard size
Collocations
gauged to fit
|gauged for children
|finely gauged
|properly gauged
|gauged to withstand
|gauged to capacity
Synonyms
calibrate (emphasizes careful technical adjustment of instruments and machines)
|
size (informal verb in some contexts meaning to choose or adjust to the right size)
|
configure (focuses on arranging settings or parts to meet requirements, especially in technology)
Antonyms
misadjust (to set something in the wrong way so it does not fit the standard or purpose)
Themes
technology
|engineering
|work
Definition
to change something so its size or strength is right for a special use or rule
To set, shape, or adjust something so that its size, capacity, or strength fits a particular standard or requirement.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gauge
IPA
GB/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
US/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
gauge (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gauge)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gauge
- Plural: gauges
Verb
- Base: gauge
- 3rd Person Singular: gauges
- Present Participle: gauging
- Past: gauged
Word family
Forms
gauges
noun
gauging
verb
gauged
verb
Advanced or less common
gauger
noun
Expressions
a good gauge of
1/ə ɡˈʊd ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
reliable sign of level or quality
something that shows clearly how high, low, good, or bad something else is
Examples
- Repeat business is a good gauge of customer satisfaction.
- How quickly people respond is a good gauge of their interest.
fuel gauge
1/fjˈul ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
instrument showing fuel level
a part in a car, motorbike, etc. that shows how much fuel is left in the tank
Examples
- The fuel gauge was almost on empty, so we stopped at the next gas station.
- My car doesn’t have a working fuel gauge, so I refill it often just in case.
gauge interest
1/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ ˈɪntɚˌɛst/
fixed phrase
estimate how interested people are
to find out how many people are interested in something and how strong their interest is
Examples
- We sent out a short survey to gauge interest in the new course.
- The city held a public meeting to gauge interest in the planned park.
gauge the mood
1/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ ðə mˈud/
fixed phrase
estimate how people feel overall
to try to understand what most people in a group feel or think at a moment
Examples
- The coach tried to gauge the mood in the locker room after the loss.
- Before making any big changes, the manager wanted to gauge the mood of the staff.
gauge the reaction
1/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ ðə ɹiˈækʃən/
fixed phrase
assess how people respond
to see and understand how people answer, respond, or feel after something happens
Examples
- They released a short video to gauge the reaction before finishing the full campaign.
- The company raised prices slightly to gauge the reaction from customers.
gauge the situation
1/ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ ðə sˌɪt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
assess what is happening now
to look closely at what is happening so you can understand it and decide what to do
Examples
- Let’s take a moment to gauge the situation before we react.
- Rescue workers first gauged the situation and then decided where to send help.
pressure gauge
1/pɹˈɛʃɚ ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
instrument that measures pressure
a tool that shows how strong the air or liquid pressure is inside something
Examples
- The technician checked the pressure gauge on the boiler.
- You can use a small pressure gauge to test your tire pressure at home.
temperature gauge
1/tˈɛmpɚɪt͡ʃɚ ɡˈeɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
instrument showing temperature
a device that shows the temperature of something, for example an engine or room
Examples
- Keep an eye on the temperature gauge so the engine doesn’t overheat.
- The temperature gauge on the oven shows when it is hot enough to cook.