lapse

Language: en

🇬🇧 /ˈlæps/ 🇺🇸 /ˈlæps/

📖 Definitions

  1. noun
    A temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment.; An interval or passage of time.; A decline or fall from a previously high standard or condition.; The termination of a right, privilege, or contract due to failure to renew or maintain it.; In law, the transfer of a right or property to another party due to the failure of the original holder to exercise it.
  2. verb
    To fall into a lower or worse state or condition; to decline.; To pass gradually into a different state, often unconsciously.; To become void or invalid through failure to renew, maintain, or exercise.; To deviate from a previously held belief or practice, especially in religion.

🔗 Details

Word forms

countable Plural: lapses 3rd sing.: lapses Past: lapsed Past part.: lapsed Pres part.: lapsing

Collocations

lapse in concentrationlapse of timelapse into silencelapse of memorylapse of judgmentlapse into unconsciousness

Derivatives

lapsedrelapseelapse

Synonyms

slipoversighterrorgapexpirationfailure

Antonyms

continuationpersistence

Commonly confused

elapse
EN: 'Elapse' refers only to the passing of time and is always intransitive; 'lapse' can mean a failure or error, or to fall into a state.
relapse
EN: 'Relapse' means to fall back into a previous (usually worse) state, especially after improvement; 'lapse' is a single slip or expiration.
laps
EN: 'Laps' (plural of 'lap') refers to circuits or stages of a race; 'lapse' refers to a failure or expiration.

Spelling tips

EN: Do not confuse 'lapse' (a slip or expiration) with 'laps' (plural of 'lap'). The silent 'e' at the end is essential to distinguish the two.

💬 Examples

  1. His rude comment was just a lapse in manners.

  2. After a lapse of several years, they finally reconnected.

  3. The team's performance showed a noticeable lapse in the second half.

  4. The insurance policy was cancelled due to a lapse in premium payments.

  5. The bequest suffered a lapse when the beneficiary died before the testator.

  6. After the scandal, the company lapsed into obscurity.

  7. She lapsed into silence after hearing the bad news.

  8. His membership lapsed because he forgot to pay the annual fee.

  9. He lapsed from his faith during his college years.