What does gauge mean?
Word: Gauge
Part of Speech: Noun and verb
Meaning: Gauge means an instrument that shows a measurement. As a verb, it means to work out or measure the size, amount or mood of something.
Synonyms: measure, estimate
How do you spell gauge?
Syllables: gauge
Tricky part: The a comes before the u, and nothing in the sound of the word helps. Guage is the common slip.
Watch out for: guage, gaje
Memory tip: The alphabet puts a before u, and so does this word.
Gauge in a sentence
Example 1: The mechanic checked the oil gauge before the long drive.
Example 2: It is hard to gauge how tall a tree is from the ground.
Example 3: A quick look at the sky helped the farmer gauge the chance of rain.
Fun Fact
On railways, gauge means the distance between the two rails. India's main lines run on broad gauge, 1,676 mm, wider than the 1,435 mm common in Europe.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
gaudge
a) g
b) a
c) d
d) u
Show answer
c) d. No d is needed here, even though badge and fudge have one before the ge.
Mingle-Mangle
Unjumble the letters to find the word that fits the sentence:
The rain ueagg in our school garden showed twelve millimetres this morning.
a) gadget
b) gauge
c) gaze
d) image
Show answer
b) gauge. Just five letters, with two g's and a u: only one option fits.
Word Connection
Choose the synonym of the word gauge as used in the sentence:
From the back of the hall, nobody could gauge the mood of the crowd.
a) judge
b) ignore
c) lift
d) change
Show answer
a) judge. From so far back it was hard to form an opinion of the mood.
Spell-o-Spell
Three of these words are spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of the misspelt word.
1. thermometer 2. gauge 3. compass 4. baromiter
a) an instrument that shows temperature
b) an instrument that shows direction
c) an instrument that shows air pressure
d) any device that shows a measurement on a dial
Show answer
c) an instrument that shows air pressure. Barometer has an e before the t, as thermometer does.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. What would a tyre pressure gauge tell a driver?
a) how fast the car is going
b) how old the tyres are
c) how far the car can travel
d) whether the tyres have enough air
Show answer
d) whether the tyres have enough air
2. What might a plumber call a gauge?
a) a dial on a water tank
b) a lid on a cooking pot
c) a bell on a bicycle
d) a handle on a bucket
Show answer
a) a dial on a water tank
