gap
gb/ɡˈæp/ us/ɡˈæp/
A2
English
~ 2100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
An empty space between objects
A space between two things.
Usage pattern:
a gap between [two things]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'gap' with 'hole'; a 'hole' is usually fully surrounded by material, while a 'gap' is an open space between two edges or objects.
Synonyms
opening (A general term for an empty space; does not always imply separation of parts.)
Antonyms
connection (Implies that two things are joined without any space between them.)
Collocations
bridge the gap
|gap between teeth
|fill the gap
|narrow the gap
Themes
daily life
|geography
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a small gap between the door and the frame.
- Mind the gap between the train and the platform.
- A gap in the fence allowed the dog to escape.
Learner examples
- There is a gap in the wall.
- I see a gap between the chairs.
- The gap is big enough to walk through.
Noun
B1
relation
2
A difference or inequality
A big difference between two people, groups, or things.
Usage pattern:
a gap in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with physical gaps; here it refers to differences, not spaces.
Synonyms
disparity (More formal; often used in academic or official contexts.)
Antonyms
equality (Indicates no difference or inequality between groups.)
Collocations
income gap
|generation gap
|achievement gap
|gap in knowledge
Themes
society
|economics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The income gap between rich and poor is growing.
- There is a significant gender gap in tech jobs.
- The generation gap can make communication difficult.
Learner examples
- There is a big gap in pay between men and women.
- The generation gap is large in my family.
- We must close the gap in education.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Missing part or information
Something missing that should be there, often in knowledge or information.
Usage pattern:
a gap in [knowledge/records]
Synonyms
omission (Focuses on something left out, often accidentally.)
Antonyms
completion (Indicates that nothing is missing; everything is present.)
Collocations
gap in knowledge
|gap in memory
|fill the gap
Themes
education
|communication
Examples
- There are gaps in his memory of the accident.
- The report has several gaps in the data.
- We need to fill the gaps in our understanding.
Learner examples
- I have a gap in my memory from last night.
- There is a gap in the story.
- We must fill the gap in our plan.
Noun
B2
event
4
Pause or break in time/activity
A short time when something stops before it starts again.
Usage pattern:
a gap in [activity/schedule]
Synonyms
pause (Refers to a temporary stop, often shorter and intentional.)
Antonyms
continuity (Indicates no break or pause; ongoing activity.)
Collocations
gap in conversation
|gap between meetings
Themes
daily life
|time
|work
Examples
- There was an awkward gap in the conversation.
- I have a two-hour gap between classes.
- The play resumed after a short gap.
Learner examples
- There was a gap in the talk.
- I have a gap between my classes.
- We took a short gap before work.
Grammar
Dictionary form
gap
IPA
GB/ɡˈæp/
US/ɡˈæp/
Syllables & stress
gap (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (gap)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: gap
- Plural: gaps
Word family
Forms
gaps
noun
Related words
gappy
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
gapless
adjective
Advanced or less common
gape
verb B2
gaping
adjective
Expressions
mind the gap
1/mˈaɪnd ðə ɡˈæp/
fixed phrase
Be careful of empty space when stepping
Be careful when stepping over the space between two surfaces, like a train and platform.
Examples
- Please mind the gap when you board the train.
- Mind the gap as you step off the bus.
bridge the gap
1/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ ðə ɡˈæp/
idiom
Reduce or remove difference/distance
To make two different groups, ideas, or situations more similar or connected.
Examples
- We need to bridge the gap between rich and poor.
- Technology can help bridge the gap between generations.
bridge the gap
2/bɹˈɪd͡ʒ ðə ɡˈæp/
idiom
Reduce difference between things
To make two different groups, ideas, or situations come closer together.
Examples
- This program helps to bridge the gap between students and employers.
- Better communication can bridge the gap between management and staff.
generation gap
1/d͡ʒˌɛnɚˈeɪʃən ɡˈæp/
fixed phrase
differences between age groups' views and habits
A difference in opinions or ways of living between older and younger people.
Examples
- There is a big generation gap in music tastes.
- The generation gap can cause misunderstandings at work.
- The internet has widened the generation gap.
- Music tastes often show the generation gap.