Nap vs. Gap — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 3, 2024
A nap is a short sleep typically taken during the day to boost alertness and well-being, whereas a gap refers to an empty space or a missing part in a sequence, often highlighting absence or disparity.
Difference Between Nap and Gap
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Key Differences
A nap is a brief period of sleep usually taken during the day, especially designed to rejuvenate the mind and body. Whereas, a gap denotes an open space between two objects or points, or a break in continuity which could be physical or conceptual.
While napping is considered a healthy practice for improving mental alertness and reducing fatigue, it serves a biological recovery function. On the other hand, gaps can indicate a deficiency or absence, such as a gap in knowledge or a physical space that separates entities, often requiring bridging or filling.
Naps can vary in duration, typically ranging from 10 to 30 minutes, as recommended for optimizing cognitive function and mood. In contrast, gaps can be indefinite in size and duration, dependent entirely on the context, such as gaps in employment on a resume or gaps between railroad ties.
The practice of taking a nap is culturally accepted and encouraged in many societies worldwide due to its health benefits. Conversely, gaps are often viewed negatively, particularly in professional or structural contexts, as they may suggest neglect or oversight.
While naps are a deliberate pause in activity to restore energy, gaps are usually unintentional and may lead to issues that require resolution, such as gaps in communication leading to misunderstandings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A short sleep during the day
An empty space or missing part
Purpose
To refresh and reduce fatigue
Indicates absence or separation
Duration
Usually 10 to 30 minutes
Indefinite, context-dependent
Perception
Positive, health-beneficial
Often negative, suggests a lack
Contextual Usage
Personal health and well-being
Physical, professional, conceptual
Compare with Definitions
Nap
A short period of sleep, especially during the day.
She took a 20-minute nap to regain her energy for the meeting.
Gap
A break in continuity, such as in employment or narrative.
There was a notable gap in her resume between 2015 and 2017.
Nap
Used to restore alertness and prevent burnout.
A quick nap at lunch can help you stay alert in the afternoon.
Gap
Often requires action to bridge or fill.
The city planned a project to fill the gap in the bike path.
Nap
Recommended by health professionals.
Doctors often recommend a brief nap as part of a healthy lifestyle for adults.
Gap
Viewed as a lack or deficiency.
The survey pointed out a gap in the company's market coverage.
Nap
Common in many cultures as a part of daily routine.
In Spain, a siesta is a traditional nap taken in the early afternoon.
Gap
An empty space between two objects or points.
He noticed a gap in the fence where the dog could escape.
Nap
Can improve mood and performance.
He felt more cheerful and attentive after his nap.
Gap
Can represent disparity, such as in income.
The report highlighted the growing gap between the rich and the poor.
Nap
A nap is a short period of sleep, typically taken during daytime hours as an adjunct to the usual nocturnal sleep period. Naps are most often taken as a response to drowsiness during waking hours.
Gap
An opening in a solid structure or surface; a cleft or breach
Wriggled through a gap in the fence.
A large gap in the wall where the artillery shell had exploded.
Nap
A brief sleep, often during the day.
Gap
A break in a line of defense.
Nap
A soft or fuzzy surface on fabric or leather.
Gap
An opening through mountains; a pass.
Nap
A trick-taking card game in which the players are each dealt five cards and everyone bids the number of tricks they intend to take, with the highest bidder deciding the trump.
Gap
A space between objects or points; an aperture
A gap between his front teeth.
Nap
The first bid of five tricks in this game, the maximum number in a hand. Also called napoleon.
Gap
An interruption of continuity
A nine-minute gap in the recorded conversation.
Needed to fill in the gaps in her knowledge.
Nap
See napoleon1.
Gap
A conspicuous difference or imbalance; a disparity
A gap between revenue and spending.
The widening gap between rich and poor.
Nap
To sleep for a brief period, often during the day; doze.
Gap
A problematic situation resulting from such a disparity
The budget gap.
The technology gap.
Nap
To be unaware of imminent danger or trouble; be off guard
The civil unrest caught the police napping.
Gap
A spark gap.
Nap
To form or raise a soft or fuzzy surface on (fabric or leather).
Gap
To make an opening or openings in
A wall that was gapped.
Nap
To pour or put a sauce or gravy over (a cooked dish) in a thin, even layer
"a stuffed veal chop napped with an elegant Port sauce" (Jay Jacobs).
Gap
To make or adjust a space between (objects or points) or in (a device)
Gap boards on a deck.
Gap a spark plug.
Nap
A short period of sleep, especially one during the day.
Gap
To be or become open
Her coat gapped open.
Nap
A soft or fuzzy surface, generally on fabric or leather.
Gap
An opening in anything made by breaking or parting.
He made a gap in the fence by kicking at a weak spot.
Nap
The common direction, on some kinds of fabric, of the hairs making up the pile.
If the fabric has a nap, make sure all pieces are cut with the nap going the same direction.
Gap
An opening allowing passage or entrance.
We can slip through that gap between the buildings.
Nap
(British) A type of bet in British horse racing, based on the experts' best tips.
Gap
An opening that implies a breach or defect.
There is a gap between the roof and the gutter.
Nap
A card game in which players take tricks; properly Napoleon.
Gap
A vacant space or time.
I have a gap in my schedule next Tuesday.
Nap
A bid to take five tricks in the card game Napoleon.
Gap
A hiatus, a pause in something which is otherwise continuous.
I'm taking a gap.
You must wait for a gap in the traffic before crossing the road.
Nap
A cup, bowl.
Gap
A vacancy, deficit, absence, or lack.
Their departure has left a gap in the workforce.
Find words to fill the gaps in an incomplete sentence.
Nap
To have a nap; to sleep for a short period of time, especially during the day.
Gap
A mountain or hill pass.
The exploring party went through the high gap in the mountains.
Nap
(figuratively) To be off one's guard.
The regulators were caught napping by the financial collapse.
Gap
(baseball) The regions between the outfielders.
Jones doubled through the gap.
Nap
To form or raise a soft or fuzzy surface on (fabric or leather).
Gap
The shortfall between the amount the medical insurer will pay to the service provider and the scheduled fee for the item.
Nap
(obsolete) To grab; to nab.
Gap
(AU) (usually written as "the gap") The disparity between the indigenous and non-indigenous communities with regard to life expectancy, education, health, etc.
Nap
(cooking) To cover (something) with a sauce. usually in the passive
Gap
(genetics) An unsequenced region in a sequence alignment.
Nap
To have a short sleep; to be drowsy; to doze.
Gap
(transitive) To notch, as a sword or knife.
Nap
To be in a careless, secure state; to be unprepared; as, to be caught napping.
I took thee napping, unprepared.
Gap
(transitive) To make an opening in; to breach.
Nap
To raise, or put, a nap on.
Gap
(transitive) To check the size of a gap.
I gapped all the spark plugs in my car, but then realized I had used the wrong manual and had made them too small.
Nap
A short sleep; a doze; a siesta.
Gap
To leave suddenly.
Nap
Woolly or villous surface of felt, cloth, plants, etc.; an external covering of down, of short fine hairs or fibers forming part of the substance of anything, and lying smoothly in one direction; the pile; as, the nap of cotton flannel or of broadcloth.
Gap
An opening in anything made by breaking or parting; as, a gap in a fence; an opening for a passage or entrance; an opening which implies a breach or defect; a vacant space or time; a hiatus; a mountain pass.
Miseries ensued by the opening of that gap.
It would make a great gap in your own honor.
Nap
The loops which are cut to make the pile, in velvet.
Gap
The vertical distance between two superposed surfaces, esp. in a biplane.
Nap
Same as Napoleon, 1, below.
Gap
To notch, as a sword or knife.
Nap
A period of time spent sleeping;
He felt better after a little sleep
There wasn't time for a nap
Gap
To make an opening in; to breach.
Their masses are gapp'd with our grape.
Nap
A soft or fuzzy surface texture
Gap
A conspicuous disparity or difference as between two figures;
Gap between income and outgo
The spread between lending and borrowing costs
Nap
The yarn (as in a rug or velvet or corduroy) that stands up from the weave;
For uniform color and texture tailors cut velvet with the pile running the same direction
Gap
An open or empty space in or between things;
There was a small opening between the trees
The explosion made a gap in the wall
Nap
A short sleep (usually not in bed)
Gap
A narrow opening;
He opened the window a crack
Nap
A card game similar to whist; usually played for stakes
Gap
A pass between mountain peaks
Nap
Take a siesta;
She naps everyday after lunch for an hour
Gap
An act of delaying or interrupting the continuity;
It was presented without commercial breaks
Gap
Make an opening or gap in
Common Curiosities
Can gaps be positive?
While often viewed negatively, gaps can also present opportunities for growth and innovation.
What is the ideal duration for a nap?
Ideally, a nap should last between 10 and 30 minutes.
What does a gap in a resume indicate?
A gap in a resume may indicate a period of unemployment or time taken off for personal reasons.
How can one optimize the benefits of a nap?
To optimize benefits, keep naps short and take them early in the afternoon.
Why are gaps important to identify in structures?
Identifying gaps in structures is crucial for ensuring safety and stability.
What are the benefits of taking a nap?
Benefits include improved alertness, enhanced mood, and better overall health.
Are naps suitable for everyone?
Most people can benefit from naps, though the ideal timing and duration can vary based on individual needs.
How can gaps in knowledge be addressed?
Gaps in knowledge can be addressed through education, research, and continuous learning.
How does society view napping?
Napping is generally viewed positively, especially as awareness of its health benefits grows.
What kind of gaps are found in society?
Social, economic, and educational gaps are common types, often highlighting disparities.
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Written 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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
