gap

gap

W2S2 [gæp] n

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1¦(a space)¦

2¦(difference)¦

3¦(something missing)¦

4¦(in time)¦

5¦(in a mountain)¦

6 gap in the market

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[Date: 1300-1400; : Old Norse; Origin: 'hole, deep narrow valley']

1.) ¦(A SPACE)¦

a space between two objects or two parts of an object, especially because something is missing

gap in

▪ The neighbors' dog got in through a gap in the hedge.

▪ a gap in the traffic

gap between

▪ the gap between the two rows of seats

2.) ¦(DIFFERENCE)¦

a big difference between two situations, amounts, groups of people etc

→↑gulf gap between

▪ the widening gap between the rich and the poor

bridge/close/narrow the gap

(=reduce the amount or importance of a difference)

▪ His films attempt to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity.

▪ The gap has narrowed to just 12 points now.

▪ It seems that the trade gap is widening (=the difference between the amount a country imports and exports) .

→↑generation gap

3.) ¦(SOMETHING MISSING)¦

something missing that stops something else from being good or complete

gap in

▪ There are huge gaps in my knowledge of history.

▪ Frank's death has left a big gap in my life.

fill/plug the gap

▪ He filled the gap left by Hirst's retirement.

4.) ¦(IN TIME)¦

a period of time when nothing is happening, that exists between two other periods of time when something is happening

gap in

▪ an awkward gap in the conversation

gap between

▪ The gaps between his visits got longer and longer.

→↑gap year

5.) ¦(IN A MOUNTAIN)¦

a low place between two higher parts of a mountain

6.) gap in the market

a product or service that does not exist, so that there is an opportunity to develop that product or service and sell it