lapse
laps
Lapse (noun) means a brief slip or failure, especially a temporary lowering of standards or attention. Example: “Forgetting her name was just a momentary lapse.”
noun
1
A brief slip or failure, especially a temporary lowering of standards or attention.
"Forgetting her name was just a momentary lapse."
"The scandal was blamed on a lapse in judgment."
2
The ending of a right, agreement, or membership because it was left unused or not renewed.
"His insurance policy went into lapse after he missed three payments."
verb
1
To slip gradually into a worse state, bad habit, or silence.
"The conversation lapsed into an awkward silence."
"He lapsed back into his old smoking habit under stress."
2
To become invalid because a deadline passed or it was not renewed.
"The offer will lapse if you don't respond within thirty days."
How to use lapse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA small slip-up, or a right/agreement quietly running out because nobody kept it going.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "elapse," which just means time passing (e.g. "two hours elapsed") — "lapse" implies something failed or expired.
Easily confused with
elapse
collapse →
Common pairings
lapse into silence
memory lapse
policy lapsed
a lapse in judgment
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Word forms
- Plural
- lapses
- Third person singular
- lapses
- Past tense
- lapsed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Forgetting her name was just a momentary _____.
Etymology
From Latin lapsus, "a slipping or falling," from labi, "to slip." A doublet of the word "lapsus."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for lapse
See all rhymes for lapse →Frequently asked questions
What does “lapse” mean?
The word “lapse” means a brief slip or failure, especially a temporary lowering of standards or attention. In plain terms, a small slip-up, or a right/agreement quietly running out because nobody kept it going.
How do you pronounce “lapse”?
“Lapse” is pronounced laps (/læps/ in IPA).
How do you use “lapse” in a sentence?
Here is “lapse” used in a sentence: “Forgetting her name was just a momentary lapse.”
What part of speech is “lapse”?
Depending on how it is used, “lapse” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “lapse” come from?
The word “lapse” comes from Latin. From Latin lapsus, "a slipping or falling," from labi, "to slip." A doublet of the word "lapsus.".
Is “lapse” a common word?
“Lapse” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “lapse” have?
“Lapse” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a brief slip or failure, especially a temporary lowering of standards or attention.
