Gage vs. Gauge — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 25, 2023
Gage can mean a pledge or token, while Gauge refers to a measuring instrument or a standard dimension.
Difference Between Gage and Gauge
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Gage and Gauge are two English words that are often mistakenly interchanged. Gage historically refers to something given as a pledge, like a token or a challenge, while Gauge typically pertains to measurement, be it instruments, dimensions, or even estimating the capacity of something.
If one were to talk about a medieval duel, they might encounter the term "gage" as a glove or small item thrown down as a symbol of challenge. On the other hand, Gauge has wide usage in industries, denoting instruments that measure the size, amount, or capacity of something, like a fuel gauge in cars.
The history of "gage" is interesting, taking root from Old French meaning "pledge". Its use has waned in modern times, and many now use "gauge" instead, even in contexts where "gage" would be historically correct. Gauge, with its origins also from Old French, meaning "standard measure", remains prevalent, especially in scientific and technical arenas.
Another point of confusion arises from the fact that "gage" has also been used to refer to certain measurements, especially in older texts. However, in contemporary usage, "gauge" dominates when one refers to measurement. For instance, one might use a gauge to determine the thickness of metal sheets or the diameter of wires.
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
A pledge or token
A measuring instrument
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Origins
Old French: meaning "pledge"
Old French: meaning "standard measure"
Usage in Industry
Less commonly used
Widely used in technical and scientific contexts
Modern Confusion
Sometimes mistakenly used in place of "gauge"
Dominant term for measurement-related contexts
Example Context
Medieval challenges or duels
Automobiles, machinery, and scientific equipment
Compare with Definitions
Gage
Something given as a guarantee or security.
The ring served as a gage for his promise.
Gauge
A measure of the thickness of something, like wire or sheet metal.
The wire has a gauge of 12, indicating its thickness.
Gage
A measure or standard (less common usage).
The fruit's gage of ripeness was its color.
Gauge
A standard dimension or size.
The railway operates on a narrow gauge track.
Gage
A valued object deposited as a guarantee of good faith.
Gauge
To estimate or judge the capacity or character of something.
It's hard to gauge his intentions from just one meeting.
Gage
Variant spelling of gauge
Gauge
An instrument that measures and gives a visual display of the amount, level, or contents of something
A fuel gauge
Gage
Another term for greengage
Gauge
The thickness, size, or capacity of something, especially as a standard measure.
Gage
Offer (an object or one's life) as a guarantee of good faith
A guide sent to them by the headman of this place gaged his life as a forfeit if he failed
Gauge
The position of a sailing ship to windward (the weather gage) or leeward (the lee gage) of another
The French fleet was heavily outnumbered but had the weather gage
Gage
Variant spelling of gauge
Gauge
Estimate or determine the amount, level, or volume of
Astronomers can gauge the star's intrinsic brightness
Gage
Something deposited or given as security against an obligation; a pledge.
Gauge
Measure the dimensions of (an object) with a gauge
When dry the assemblies can be gauged exactly
Gage
Something, such as a glove, that is offered or thrown down as a pledge or challenge to fight.
Gauge
The distance between the two rails of a railroad.
Gage
A challenge.
Gauge
The distance between two wheels on an axle.
Gage
Any of several varieties of plum, such as the greengage.
Gauge
The interior diameter of a shotgun barrel as determined by the number of lead balls of a size exactly fitting the barrel that are required to make one pound. Often used in combination
A 12-gauge shotgun.
Gage
Variant of gauge.
Gauge
The thickness or diameter of sheet metal, wire, or a similar manufactured material or piece.
Gage
To pledge as security.
Gauge
The fineness of knitted cloth as measured by the number of stitches per a given unit of length.
Gage
To offer as a stake in a bet; wager.
Gauge
A standard or scale of measurement
The capacity of barrels was measured according to the gauge in use at the time.
Gage
To bind by pledge, or security; to engage.
Gauge
An instrument for measuring the dimensions, capacity, or amount of something
A pressure gauge.
A fuel gauge.
Gage
(archaic) To wager, to bet.
Gauge
A means of estimating or evaluating; a test
A gauge of character.
Gage
(obsolete) To give or deposit as a pledge or security; to pawn.
Gauge
(Nautical) The position of a vessel in relation to another vessel and the wind.
Gage
(US) gauge {{gloss}}
Gauge
To measure the dimensions, capacity, proportions, or amount of (something), especially by means of a gauge
Gauged the thickness of the metal part.
Gage
Something, such as a glove or other pledge, thrown down as a challenge to combat (now usually figurative).
Gauge
To evaluate or estimate
Gauge a person's interest.
Gage
(obsolete) Something valuable deposited as a guarantee or pledge; security, ransom.
Gauge
To adapt or make conform to a specified standard
Pressure valves that are gauged to industry requirements.
Gage
(US) gauge {{gloss}}
Gauge
To chip or rub (bricks or stones) to size.
Gage
A subspecies of plum, Prunus domestica subsp. italica.
Gauge
To stretch (a pierced earlobe or other body part) by inserting progressively larger objects over a long period of time.
Gage
A pledge or pawn; something laid down or given as a security for the performance of some act by the person depositing it, and forfeited by nonperformance; security.
Nor without gages to the needy lend.
Gauge
Of or relating to a gauge.
Gage
A glove, cap, or the like, cast on the ground as a challenge to combat, and to be taken up by the accepter of the challenge; a challenge; a defiance.
Gauge
(Physics) Invariant under a local transformation.
Gage
A variety of plum; as, the greengage; also, the blue gage, frost gage, golden gage, etc., having more or less likeness to the greengage. See Greengage.
Gauge
A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard
Gage
To give or deposit as a pledge or security for some act; to wage or wager; to pawn or pledge.
A moiety competentWas gaged by our king.
Gauge
An act of measuring.
Gage
To bind by pledge, or security; to engage.
Great debtsWherein my time, sometimes too prodigal,Hath left me gaged.
Gauge
An estimate.
Gage
Street names for marijuana
Gauge
Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the level, state, dimensions or forms of things
Gage
A measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.
Gauge
A thickness of sheet metal or wire designated by any of several numbering schemes.
Gage
Place a bet on;
Which horse are you backing?
I'm betting on the new horse
Gauge
(rail) track gauge
Gage
A pledge or token.
He threw down his glove as a gage of challenge.
Gauge
(rail) loading gauge
Gage
An item, like a glove, symbolizing a challenge or duel.
The knight accepted the gage, readying himself for the duel.
Gauge
A semi-norm; a function that assigns a non-negative size to all vectors in a vector space.
Gage
A variety of plum.
The greengage is a type of gage known for its sweet taste.
Gauge
(knitting) The number of stitches per inch, centimetre, or other unit of distance.
Gauge
(nautical) Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind.
A vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.
Gauge
(nautical) The depth to which a vessel sinks in the water.
Gauge
(plastering) The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to make it set more quickly.
Gauge
That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.
Gauge
(firearms) A unit of measurement which describes how many spheres of bore diameter of a shotgun can be had from one pound of lead; 12 gauge is roughly equivalent to .75 caliber.
Gauge
A shotgun (synecdoche for 12 gauge shotgun, the most common chambering for combat and hunting shotguns).
Gauge
A tunnel-like ear piercing consisting of a hollow ring embedded in the lobe.
Gauge
Cannabis.
Gauge
(transitive) To measure or determine with a gauge; to measure the capacity of.
Gauge
(transitive) To estimate.
Gauge
(transitive) To appraise the character or ability of; to judge of.
Gauge
To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it.
Gauge
(transitive) To mix (a quantity of ordinary plaster) with a quantity of plaster of Paris.
Gauge
(transitive) To chip, hew or polish (stones, bricks, etc) to a standard size and/or shape.
Gauge
To measure or determine with a gauge.
Gauge
To measure or to ascertain the contents or the capacity of, as of a pipe, barrel, or keg.
Gauge
To measure the dimensions of, or to test the accuracy of the form of, as of a part of a gunlock.
The vanes nicely gauged on each side.
Gauge
To draw into equidistant gathers by running a thread through it, as cloth or a garment.
Gauge
To measure the capacity, character, or ability of; to estimate; to judge of.
You shall not gauge meBy what we do to-night.
Gauge
A measure; a standard of measure; an instrument to determine dimensions, distance, or capacity; a standard.
This plate must be a gauge to file your worm and groove to equal breadth by.
There is not in our hands any fixed gauge of minds.
Gauge
Measure; dimensions; estimate.
The gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt.
Gauge
Any instrument for ascertaining or regulating the dimensions or forms of things; a templet or template; as, a button maker's gauge.
Gauge
Any instrument or apparatus for measuring the state of a phenomenon, or for ascertaining its numerical elements at any moment; - usually applied to some particular instrument; as, a rain gauge; a steam gauge.
Gauge
Relative positions of two or more vessels with reference to the wind; as, a vessel has the weather gauge of another when on the windward side of it, and the lee gauge when on the lee side of it.
Gauge
The distance between the rails of a railway.
Gauge
The quantity of plaster of Paris used with common plaster to accelerate its setting.
Gauge
That part of a shingle, slate, or tile, which is exposed to the weather, when laid; also, one course of such shingles, slates, or tiles.
Gauge
A measuring instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity such as the thickness of wire or the amount of rain etc.
Gauge
Accepted or approved instance or example of a quantity or quality against which others are judged or measured or compared
Gauge
The distance between the rails of a railway or between the wheels of a train
Gauge
The thickness of wire
Gauge
Diameter of a tube or gun barrel
Gauge
Judge tentatively or form an estimate of (quantities or time);
I estimate this chicken to weigh three pounds
Gauge
Rub to a uniform size;
Gauge bricks
Gauge
Determine the capacity, volume, or contents of by measurement and calculation;
Gauge the wine barrels
Gauge
Measure precisely and against a standard;
The wire is gauged
Gauge
Adapt to a specified measurement;
Gauge the instruments
Gauge
Mix in specific proportions;
Gauge plaster
Gauge
An instrument for measuring.
The fuel gauge in my car is showing that the tank is almost empty.
Common Curiosities
Is "gauge" used in the context of railways?
Yes, it refers to the distance between the rails of a railway.
Are "gage" and "gauge" interchangeable?
Historically, they had overlapping meanings, but in modern usage, they have distinct definitions.
What is a "gauge" commonly used for?
A gauge is often an instrument used for measuring.
Can "gage" mean a type of fruit?
Yes, it can refer to certain varieties of plum.
Is "gauge" used in the automobile industry?
Yes, cars have various gauges, like fuel or temperature gauges.
Has the usage of "gage" diminished over time?
Yes, its use has waned, with "gauge" becoming more prevalent.
What's the origin of the term "gauge"?
It originates from Old French, meaning "standard measure".
Are there other spellings of "gage" referring to the fruit?
Yes, "greengage" is a type of gage plum.
How is the term "gauge" commonly used in industries?
It's used to describe measuring instruments and to indicate the thickness or size of materials.
Is "gage" related to guarantees?
Yes, it can refer to something given as a guarantee or security.
Why might someone throw down a "gage" in medieval times?
It would be a symbol of challenge, often preceding a duel.
What does "gage" typically refer to?
Gage typically refers to a pledge, token, or a challenge.
Can "gauge" also mean to estimate or judge something?
Yes, one can gauge (estimate) someone's reactions or the size of a crowd.
Was "gage" ever used in a measurement context?
Yes, in older texts, but in modern times "gauge" is preferred for measurements.
Which term is more prevalent in modern English: "gage" or "gauge"?
"Gauge" is more prevalent, especially in scientific and technical contexts.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
