Gauge — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈgāj/

Meaning & Definition of Gauge

Gauge (noun)

  1. a measurement (as of linear dimension) according to some standard or system
  2. the distance between the rails of a railroad
  3. the size of a shotgun barrel's inner diameter nominally expressed as the number of lead balls each just fitting that diameter required to make a pound

Gauge (verb)

  1. to measure precisely the size, dimensions, or other measurable quantity of
  2. to determine the capacity or contents of
  3. estimate, judge

Gauge (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement

    "glance over the pattern and try to gauge how much fabric you'll need"

    similar: calculate, call, conjecture, estimate, figure, guess, judge, make, place, put, reckon, suppose
    related: conclude, deduce, extrapolate, gather, infer, reason, understand
    near: calibrate, measure, scale, compute, work out

  2. to find out the size, extent, or amount of

    "very difficult to gauge how upset he really is by his controlled reaction"

    similar: measure, scale, span
    related: weigh, calibrate, caliper, quantify, quantitate, lay off, mark (off), calculate, cipher, compute, figure, reckon, work out, appraise, assess, conjecture, estimate, evaluate, guess, guesstimate, judge, suppose, valuate, value, add up, sum, tally, total, ascertain, determine, discover, dope (out), figure out, find out

Gauge (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in face, dial

    similar: dial, face, hand, index, indicator, needle, pointer

  2. as in standard, touchstone

    similar: standard, touchstone, guideline, principle, rule, essence, quintessence, archetype, example, mirror, paradigm, pattern, acme, apex, apotheosis, culmination, peak, pinnacle, summit, zenith, embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification, phantom, pink, role model, beau ideal, classic, eidolon, exemplar, idea, ideal, model, nonesuch, nonpareil, paragon, patron saint

Related Entry: Gage (noun)

Gage is a different word from Gauge. The synonyms below are for gage, not for gauge.

  1. something given or held to assure that the giver will keep a promise

    "in the old days a sheriff would take gage in the form of personal goods from an accused person who then had to appear in court or forfeit the goods"

    similar: guarantee, guaranty, pawn, pledge, security
    related: bail, bond, deposit, down payment, earnest, handsel, surety, warranty, assurance, oath, promise, troth, word, commitment, compact, contract, covenant, recognizance

Related Entry: Broad-gauge (adjective)

Broad-gauge is a different word from Gauge. The synonyms below are for broad-gauge, not for gauge.

  1. covering everything or all important points

    "a broad-gauge book about roses that covers just about everything you could want to know about roses"

    similar: all-embracing, all-in (chiefly British), all-inclusive, compendious, complete, comprehensive, cover-all, cyclopedic, embracive, encyclopedic, exhaustive, full, global, in-depth, inclusive, omnibus, panoramic, thorough, universal
    related: broad, catholic, encyclical, general, inclusionary, overall, cosmic, extensive, far, far-reaching, grand, large, panoptic, sweeping, vast, wide, wide-ranging, blanket, indiscriminate, unrestricted
    near: circumscribed, limited, narrow, restricted, specialized, exact, precise, individual, singular, specific, incomplete, patchy, sketchy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Gauge

The most common words with a similar meaning to Gauge:

calculate, call, conjecture, estimate, figure, guess, judge, make, place, put, reckon, suppose, measure, scale, span, dial, face, hand, index, indicator, needle, pointer, standard, touchstone, guideline, principle, rule, essence, quintessence, archetype, example, mirror, paradigm, pattern, acme, apex, apotheosis, culmination, peak, pinnacle

Related Words for Gauge

conclude, deduce, extrapolate, gather, infer, reason, understand, weigh, calibrate, caliper, quantify, quantitate, lay off, mark (off), cipher, compute, work out, appraise, assess, evaluate, guesstimate, valuate, value, add up, sum, tally, total, ascertain, determine, discover

Near Antonyms of Gauge

calibrate, measure, scale, compute, work out

Word Forms of Gauge

Inflections: gauged, gaged, gauging, gaging

Origin & Etymology of Gauge

Middle English gauge, gage "fixed standard of measure," borrowed from Anglo-French gauge, gouge "standard of liquid measure, tax paid to an official who determined the capacity of containers" (continental Old and Middle French jauge "graduated rod used for measuring liquid capacity, measurement by such a rod, capacity of a cask"), perhaps going back to Old Low Franconian *galga "rod, beam," going back to Germanic *galgōn "pole, stake, pole on which a condemned person was hung"; (sense 4) translation of German Massstab gallows:1

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Gauge

gauge theory, broad-gauge, feeler gauge, pressure gauge

Frequently Asked Questions about Gauge

What does "Gauge" mean?

"Gauge" means a measurement (as of linear dimension) according to some standard or system. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a measurement (as of linear dimension) according to some standard or system. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Gauge"?

Other words for "Gauge" include calculate, call, conjecture, estimate, figure, guess, judge and make. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Gauge" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Gauge"?

There are 94 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Gauge". Common alternatives include calculate, call, conjecture, estimate, figure, guess, judge, make, place and put.

How do you use "Gauge" in a sentence?

Examples of "Gauge" in a sentence: "glance over the pattern and try to gauge how much fabric you'll need"; "very difficult to gauge how upset he really is by his controlled reaction".

Is "Gauge" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Gauge" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Gauge"?

"Gauge" is pronounced /ˈgāj/.

What is the origin of the word "Gauge"?

"Gauge" comes from Middle English gauge, gage "fixed standard of measure," borrowed from Anglo-French gauge, gouge "standard of liquid measure, tax paid to an official who determined the capacity of containers" (continental Old and Middle French jauge "graduated rod used for measuring liquid capacity, measurement by such a rod, capacity of a cask"), perhaps going back to Old Low Franconian *galga "rod, beam," going back to Germanic *galgōn "pole, stake, pole on which a condemned person was hung"; (sense 4) translation of German Massstab gallows:1. First known use: 15th century.

What is another word for "Gauge" meaning "to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement"?

When "Gauge" (verb) means to decide the size, amount, number, or distance of (something) without actual measurement, synonyms include calculate, call, conjecture, estimate, figure and guess.