lapse

noun
UK: /læps/
US: /læps/

  1. A temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment.

    1. I had a lapse in concentration and forgot the key.
    2. The company blamed the error on a momentary lapse of judgment by an employee.

  2. A period of time between events.

    1. There was a considerable lapse of time between their first and second dates.
    2. After a lapse of six months, the investigation was reopened due to new evidence.

  3. A decline from a previously high standard.

    1. This represents a lapse in professional standards.
    2. The team's recent performance indicates a significant lapse in their usual level of skill.

Synonyms

failure mistake error gap interval decline fall relapse
lapse intransitive-verb

  1. To stop following a set of rules or good behavior.

    1. I lapsed back into my old habit of eating junk food.
    2. He lapsed into silence after the argument, refusing to speak to anyone.

  2. To pass gradually into an inferior state or condition.

    1. The building had lapsed into disrepair over the years.
    2. Without proper maintenance, the garden eventually lapsed into a state of wilderness.

  3. To come to an end; to become invalid.

    1. My gym membership has lapsed, so I need to renew it.
    2. The copyright on the book had lapsed, allowing anyone to republish it.
lapse transitive-verb

  1. To allow (a privilege or agreement) to terminate because of failure to meet the required terms.

    1. The company lapsed my insurance policy.
    2. He lapsed his subscription by failing to pay the fee on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "lapse" in English means: A temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment., A period of time between events., A decline from a previously high standard..

The phonetic transcription of "lapse" is /læps/ in British English and /læps/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "lapse": failure, mistake, error, gap, interval, decline, fall, relapse.

Example usage of "lapse": "I had a lapse in concentration and forgot the key.". More examples on the page.