stopgap
/ˈstɑpˌɡæp/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.40 in modern English
12
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
6
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
Something spoken to fill up an uncomfortable pause in speech; a filled pause or filler.
noun
A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained; that which serves as an expedient in an emergency; a band-aid solution.
noun
A short-term fix or temporary measure used until something better can be obtained; that which serves as an expedient in an emergency; a band-aid solution.
adj
verb
To use something as a short-term fix or temporary measure until a better alternative can be obtained.
Intransitive verb
Example Sentences
- "[A] bit of ink and paper which has long been an innocent wrapping or stop-gap may at last be laid open under the one pair of eyes which have knowledge enough to turn it into the opening of a catastrophe."
- "The small company used their old product with a few kludged enhancements as a stopgap until they could develop a new product."
- "Perhaps I shall be told that this wintry exhibition is a mere stopgap and makeshift, until a fresh supply of bright new paintings can be procured, and that it is ultra vires to obtain such for love or money before the merry month of May."
- "It is often argued that the HST saved BR's InterCity market. It was only ever intended as a stopgap, but it proved to be a winner."
- "As witness the following. Mr Strudwick, the regular master of the form, happened on one occasion to be away for a couple of days, and a stop-gap was put in in his place. The name of the stop-gap was Mr Somerville Smith. He and Farnie exchanged an unspoken declaration of war almost immediately."
- "They put a stopgap solution in place, but need something more permanent."
Etymology
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈstɑpˌɡæp/
- British English: /ˈstɒpɡæp/