gauge

An instrument that measures something, such as pressure, temperature, fuel, or size, and shows the result.

• Check the fuel gauge before we leave.
• The pressure gauge showed a high reading.
• These gauges measure the temperature inside the machine.

Similar words: meter, measuring instrument

Common phrases: pressure gauge, fuel gauge, temperature gauge

A measure, standard, or measuring instrument used to judge an amount, size, or degree.

• Price is a poor gauge of quality.
• Customer satisfaction provides a useful gauge of success.
• They used attendance as a gauge of public interest.

How to use it: gauge of something (Exam results are only one gauge of progress.)

Similar words: measure, standard, yardstick

Common phrases: gauge of success, reliable gauge, accurate gauge

The position of one sailing ship compared with another in relation to the wind.

• Our ship held the weather gauge.
• The captain maneuvered to gain the weather gauge.
• The enemy vessel kept the lee gauge throughout the battle.

Common phrases: weather gauge, lee gauge, gain the gauge

To judge or roughly work out an amount, size, feeling, or situation.

• It is hard to gauge the distance.
• She gauged his reaction before saying more.
• The survey helps us gauge how people feel about the changes.

How to use it: gauge how/what/whether… (We need to gauge how much interest there is.)

Similar words: estimate, judge, assess

Common phrases: gauge public opinion, gauge the mood, gauge interest

To measure size, amount, or capacity using a measuring instrument.

• They gauge the depth with a special instrument.
• The technician gauged the thickness of the metal.
• This tool gauges the diameter of the pipe.

Similar words: measure

Common phrases: gauge the depth, gauge the thickness, gauge the pressure