Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense lapses, present participle lapsing, past tense, past participle lapsed
1. countable noun [usually adjective NOUN]
A lapse is a moment or instance of bad behaviour by someone who usually behaves well.
On Friday he showed neither decency nor dignity. It was an uncommon lapse.
[Also + in]
Synonyms: decline, fall, drop, descent More Synonyms of lapse
2. countable noun
A lapseof something such as concentration or judgment is a temporary lack of that thing, which can often cause you to make a mistake.
I had a little lapse of concentration in the middle of the race. [+ of]
He was a genius and because of it you could accept lapses of taste.
The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.
Synonyms: mistake, failing, fault, failure More Synonyms of lapse
3. verb
If you lapseinto a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active.
She muttered something unintelligible and lapsed into silence. [VERB + into]
Doris Brown closed her eyes and lapsed into sleep. [VERBinto noun]
4. verb
If someone lapsesinto a particular way of speaking, or behaving, they start speaking or behaving in that way, usually for a short period.
She lapsed into a little girl voice to deliver a nursery rhyme. [VERBinto noun]
Teenagers occasionally find it all too much to cope with and lapse into bad behaviour. [VERB + into]
Synonyms: slip, fall, decline, sink More Synonyms of lapse
Lapse is also a noun.
Her lapse into German didn't seem peculiar. After all, it was her native tongue. [+ into]
5. singular noun
A lapseof time is a period that is long enough for a situation to change or for people to havea different opinion about it.
...the restoration of diplomatic relations after a lapse of 24 years. [+ of]
There is usually a time lapse between receipt of new information and its publication. [+ between]
Synonyms: interval, break, gap, passage More Synonyms of lapse
6. verb
If a period of time lapses, it passes.
Too much time has lapsed for police to now bring charges. [VERB]
7. verb
If a situation or legal contract lapses, it is allowed to end rather than being continued, renewed, or extended.
Her membership of the Labour Party has lapsed. [VERB]
Ford allowed the name and trademark to lapse during the Eighties. [VERB]
Synonyms: end, stop, run out, expire More Synonyms of lapse
8. verb
If a member of a particular religion lapses, they stop believing in it or stop following its rules and practices.
I lapsed in my 20s, returned to it, then lapsed again, while writing the life ofhistorical Jesus. [VERB]
She calls herself a lapsed Catholic. [VERB-ed]
lapse in British English
(læps)
noun
1.
a drop in standard of an isolated or temporary nature
a lapse of justice
2.
a break in occurrence, usage, etc
a lapse of five weeks between letters
3.
a gradual decline or a drop to a lower degree, condition, or state
a lapse from high office
4.
a moral fall
5. law
the termination of some right, interest, or privilege, as by neglecting to exercise it or through failure of some contingency
6. insurance
the termination of coverage following a failure to pay the premiums
verb(intransitive)
7.
to drop in standard or fail to maintain a norm
8.
to decline gradually or fall in status, condition, etc
9.
to be discontinued, esp through negligence or other failure
10. (usually foll by into)
to drift or slide (into a condition)
to lapse into sleep
11. (often foll by from)
to turn away (from beliefs or norms)
12. law
(of a devise or bequest) to become void, as on the beneficiary's predeceasing the testator
13.
(of time) to slip away
Derived forms
lapsable (ˈlapsable) or lapsible (ˈlapsible)
adjective
lapsed
adjective
lapser (ˈlapser)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin lāpsus error, from lābī to glide
lapse in American English
(læps)
noun
1.
a slip of the tongue, pen, or memory; small error; fault
2.
a.
a falling away from a moral standard; moral slip
b.
a falling or slipping into a lower or worse condition, esp. for a short time
3.
a falling away from one's belief or faith
4.
a gliding or passing away, as of time or of anything continuously flowing
5. Rare
a falling into ruin
6. Law
a.
the termination or forfeiture of a right or privilege through disuse, through failure of some contingency, or through failure to meet stated obligations within a stated time
b.
the failure of a bequest or devise to take effect because of the death of the personwho was to receive it
verb intransitiveWord forms: lapsed or ˈlapsing
7.
to slip or fall; esp., to slip into a specified state
to lapse into a coma
8.
to slip or deviate from a higher standard or fall into (former) erroneous ways; backslide
9.
to stop practicing one's religion; lose or abandon one's faith
10.
to pass away; elapse
said of time
11.
to come to an end; stop
my subscription lapsed
12.
to become forfeit or void because of failure to pay the premium at the stipulated time
said of an insurance policy
13. Law
to pass to another proprietor by reason of negligence or death
verb transitive
14.
to make forfeit or void by not meeting standards
Derived forms
lapsable (ˈlapsable)
adjective or ˈlapsible
lapser (ˈlapser)
noun
Word origin
L lapsus, a fall: see lap1
lapse in Insurance1
(læps)
Word forms: (regular plural) lapses
noun
(Insurance: Sales and distribution)
A lapse is a failure to renew a policy by the policyholder or the insurer.
Renewal notices are sent approximately 45 days prior to your present license expirationdate, and it is the responsibility of each licensee to ensure that their licensesare current and there is no lapse.
As long as the policy is renewed annually without lapse, the amount of premium payable for all future terms will be maintained at the samelevel.
A lapse is a failure to renew a policy by the policyholder or the insurer.
lapse in Insurance2
(læps)
Word forms: (regular plural) lapses
noun
(Insurance: Sales and distribution)
A lapse is the termination of a policy because the insurer does not invite the policyholder to renew, or because the policyholder does not pay the premiums.
Insurers may ask if you have previously had insurance coverage, because they wantto know if you have ever had a policy canceled for non-payment of premiums, causinga lapse in coverage.
The reinstatement may be effective after the cancellation date, creating a lapse of coverage.
A lapse is the termination of a policy because the insurer does not invite the policyholderto renew, or because the policyholder does not pay the premiums.
COBUILD Collocations
lapse
momentary lapse
Examples of 'lapse' in a sentence
lapse
He has admitted to suffering from memory lapses.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
And she earlier mysteriously switched outfits within seconds with no apparent time lapse in the plot.
The Sun (2016)
The lack of mobility, the criminal lapses in concentration.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It was yet another dreadful defensive lapse by Palace.
The Sun (2017)
One lapse in concentration, one moment of complacency, can ruin a career.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The Chelsea boss vowed to overcome the reputation of the 32million deadline day signing for dangerous lapses in concentration.
The Sun (2016)
Spurs were in complete control of the second half but they were made to pay for a few lapses of concentration in the opening half-hour or so.
The Sun (2016)
Presumably because he is considered to be a busy and important man and, consequently, such memory lapses are only to be expected.
The Sun (2016)
Because it might make the slightest memory lapse a cause for alarm.
The Sun (2009)
This lapse in memory increases the sense of panic.
Christopher Ross TUNNEL VISIONS: Journeys of an Underground Philosopher (2001)
Temporary human memory lapses do occur and it is possible that this happens for the same reasons.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Her frank comments about their moral lapses did not go down well.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
But this looks like the disclosure lapse of all time.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It was a rare lapse for a banker who prides himself on his networking finesse.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
We should have made it two or three but one lapse of concentration cost us.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Many in the art world have met him but suffer memory lapses when pressed for details.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This was not a momentary lapse of judgment.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This made me flinch and caused me to have a momentary lapse in concentration.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Memory lapses should not have a significant effect on your daily life.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
But it failed because of the lapse of time involved.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Maybe it was just a lapse in concentration.
The Sun (2011)
And we all suffer odd memory lapses.
The Sun (2009)
It constituted a critical lapse in judgment and a personal failure on my part.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Regulatory approval is taking so long that the present deal terms will almost certainly lapse at the end of the year.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Anybody who has tried to follow a rigorous diet will know how easy it is to lapse back into bad habits.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We spent a lot of time working on set-pieces and one little lapse of concentration cost us.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Then it was the visitors' turn to have a defensive lapse.
The Sun (2016)
A nuclear power plant worker faces great personal danger when she uncovers serious lapses in safety standards.
The Sun (2006)
A spokesman said it appeared that a lapse in concentration caused the crash.
The Sun (2007)
Until the end, when he lapsed again, and gave us ten minutes on crayfish.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
lapse
British English: lapse NOUN
A lapse is a moment or instance of bad behaviour by someone who usually behaves well.
On Friday he showed neither decency nor dignity. It was an uncommon lapse.
American English: lapse
Brazilian Portuguese: lapso
Chinese: > 行为失检一时的
European Spanish: desliz
French: écart
German: Fehltritt
Italian: mancanza
Japanese: ささいな間違い
Korean: 일탈
European Portuguese: lapso
Latin American Spanish: desliz
British English: lapse VERB
If you lapse into a quiet or inactive state, you stop talking or being active.
She muttered something unintelligible and lapsed into silence.
American English: lapse
Brazilian Portuguese: decair
Chinese: > 行为失检一时的
European Spanish: quedarse quieto
French: retomber
German: verfallen in
Italian: cadere
Japanese: ～という状態になる
Korean: 사소한 잘못을 저지르다
European Portuguese: decair
Latin American Spanish: quedarse quieto
Chinese translation of 'lapse'
lapse
(læps)
n(c)
(= bad behaviour) 差错(錯) (chācuò)
[of memory, concentration]丧(喪)失 (sàngshī)
[of time]流逝 (liúshì)
vi
[time]流逝 (liúshì)
(= expire)
[contract]失效 (shīxiào)
[membership]丧(喪)失 (sàngshī)
(Rel)[person]背离(離) (bèilí)
to lapse into silence陷入沉默 (xiànrù chénmò)
1 (noun)
Definition
a gradual decline to a lower degree, condition, or state
His behaviour showed neither decency or dignity. It was an uncommon lapse.
Synonyms
decline
Rome's decline in the fifth century.
fall
There was a sharp fall in the value of the pound.
drop
He was prepared to take a drop in wages.
descent
his swift descent from respected academic to social pariah
deterioration
the rapid deterioration in relations between the two countries
relapse
a relapse into the nationalism of the nineteenth century
backsliding
downturn
2 (noun)
Definition
a temporary drop in standard as a result of forgetfulness or lack of concentration
The incident was being seen as a serious security lapse.
Synonyms
mistake
Spelling mistakes are often just the result of haste.
failing
We are often unaware of our own failings.
fault
It was a genuine fault.
failure
They didn't prove his case of a failure of duty.
error
NASA discovered a mathematical error in its calculations.
slip
There must be no slips.
negligence
He was responsible for his patients' deaths through gross negligence.
omission
an injury occasioned by any omission of the defendant
oversight
By an unfortunate oversight, full instructions do not come with the product.
indiscretion
The newspapers tried to reveal the party's indiscretions.
3 (noun)
Definition
a period of time sufficient for a change to take place
the time lapse between pulling the seat handle and the parachute deploying
Synonyms
interval
During the interval, wine was served.
break
Nothing has been discussed that might lead to a break in the deadlock.
gap
There followed a gap of four years.
passage
pause
There was a brief pause in the conversation.
interruption
interruptions in the supply of food and fuel
lull
a lull in the conversation
breathing space
We hope that it will give us some breathing space.
intermission
Drinks were served during the intermission.
1 (verb)
Definition
to decline gradually in status, condition, or degree
The house lapsed into disarray through lack of care.
Synonyms
slip
There is a general public belief that standards have slipped.
fall
The fisherman fell into the sea during a storm.
decline
Her father's health has declined significantly in recent months.
sink
Pay increases have sunk to around seven per cent.
drop
The ground dropped away steeply.
slide
She had slid into depression.
deteriorate
There are fears that the situation may deteriorate.
degenerate
The argument degenerated into a fist fight.
2 (verb)
Definition
to allow to end or become no longer valid, esp. through negligence
Her membership of the party has lapsed.
Synonyms
end
Talks have resumed to try to end the fighting.
stop
The music stopped and the lights were turned up.
run out
the day my visa ran out
expire
He continued to live in the States after his visa had expired.
terminate
His contract terminates at the end of the season.
become obsolete
become void
Additional synonyms
in the sense of break
Definition
any sudden interruption in a continuous action
Nothing has been discussed that might lead to a break in the deadlock.
Synonyms
let-up (informal),
halt,
pause,
suspension,
lessening,
recess,
interruption,
respite,
lull,
cessation,
remission,
breathing space,
slackening,
hiatus
in the sense of breathing space
Definition
a short period during which a difficult situation temporarily becomes less severe
We hope that it will give us some breathing space.
Synonyms
respite,
break,
rest,
time to think
in the sense of degenerate
Definition
to become degenerate
The argument degenerated into a fist fight.
Synonyms
decline,
slip,
sink,
decrease,
deteriorate,
worsen,
rot,
decay,
lapse,
fall off,
regress,
go to pot,
retrogress
Synonyms of 'lapse'
lapse
Explore 'lapse' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of descent
Definition
a decline or degeneration
his swift descent from respected academic to social pariah
Synonyms
decline,
deterioration,
degradation,
decadence,
degeneration,
debasement
in the sense of deteriorate
Definition
to become worse
There are fears that the situation may deteriorate.
Synonyms
decline,
worsen,
degenerate,
fall,
fail,
drop,
slip,
sink,
slide,
slump,
degrade,
depreciate,
go downhill,
go to the dogs (informal),
go down the tubes (informal),
go to pot,
go to rack and ruin,
be the worse for wear (informal)
in the sense of deterioration
the rapid deterioration in relations between the two countries
Synonyms
decline,
failure,
collapse,
fall,
drop,
slump,
worsening,
downturn,
depreciation,
degradation,
degeneration,
debasement,
retrogression,
vitiation,
dégringolade,
lapse
in the sense of drop
Definition
a decrease in amount, strength, or value
He was prepared to take a drop in wages.
Synonyms
decrease,
fall,
cut,
lowering,
decline,
reduction,
slump,
fall-off,
downturn,
deterioration,
cutback,
diminution,
decrement
in the sense of drop
Definition
to sink to a lower position, as on a scale
The ground dropped away steeply.
Synonyms
decline,
fall,
sink,
dip,
slope,
descend,
fall away,
slope downwards
in the sense of error
Definition
a mistake, inaccuracy, or misjudgment
NASA discovered a mathematical error in its calculations.
Synonyms
mistake,
slip,
fault,
blunder,
flaw,
boob (British, slang),
delusion,
oversight,
misconception,
fallacy,
inaccuracy,
howler (informal),
bloomer (British, informal),
miscalculation,
misapprehension,
solecism (formal),
erratum,
barry or Barry Crocker (Australian, slang),
boner (slang, US)
in the sense of expire
Definition
to finish or run out
He continued to live in the States after his visa had expired.
Synonyms
become invalid,
end,
finish,
conclude,
close,
stop,
run out,
cease,
lapse,
terminate,
come to an end,
be no longer valid
in the sense of failing
Definition
a weak point
We are often unaware of our own failings.
Synonyms
shortcoming,
failure,
fault,
error,
weakness,
defect,
deficiency,
lapse,
flaw,
miscarriage,
drawback,
misfortune,
blemish,
imperfection,
frailty,
foible,
blind spot
in the sense of failure
Definition
the fact of something required or expected not being done or not happening
They didn't prove his case of a failure of duty.
Synonyms
negligence,
neglect,
deficiency,
default,
shortcoming,
omission,
oversight,
dereliction,
nonperformance,
nonobservance,
nonsuccess,
remissness
in the sense of fall
Definition
a decrease in value or number
There was a sharp fall in the value of the pound.
Synonyms
decrease,
drop,
lowering,
decline,
reduction,
slump,
dip,
falling off,
dwindling,
lessening,
diminution,
cut
Additional synonyms
in the sense of fall
Definition
to collapse to the ground
The fisherman fell into the sea during a storm.
Synonyms
drop,
plunge,
tumble,
plummet,
trip,
settle,
crash,
collapse,
pitch,
sink,
go down,
come down,
dive,
stumble,
descend,
topple,
subside,
cascade,
trip over,
drop down,
nose-dive,
come a cropper (informal),
keel over,
face-plant (informal),
go head over heels
in the sense of fault
It was a genuine fault.
Synonyms
mistake,
slip,
error,
offence,
blunder,
lapse,
negligence,
omission,
boob (British, slang),
oversight,
slip-up,
indiscretion,
inaccuracy,
howler (informal),
glitch (informal),
error of judgment,
boo-boo (informal),
barry or Barry Crocker (Australian, slang)
in the sense of gap
Definition
an interruption or interval
There followed a gap of four years.
Synonyms
interval,
pause,
recess,
interruption,
respite,
lull,
interlude,
breathing space,
hiatus,
intermission,
lacuna,
entr'acte
in the sense of indiscretion
Definition
an indiscreet act or remark
The newspapers tried to reveal the party's indiscretions.
Synonyms
mistake,
slip,
error,
lapse,
folly,
boob (British, slang),
gaffe,
bloomer (British, informal),
faux pas,
barry or Barry Crocker (Australian, slang)
in the sense of intermission
Definition
an interval between parts of a play, film, etc.
Drinks were served during the intermission.
Synonyms
interval,
break,
pause,
stop,
rest,
suspension,
recess,
interruption,
respite,
lull,
stoppage,
interlude,
cessation,
let-up (informal),
breathing space,
entr'acte
in the sense of interruption
Definition
the act of interrupting or the state of being interrupted
interruptions in the supply of food and fuel
Synonyms
stoppage,
stop,
pause,
suspension,
cessation,
severance,
hiatus,
disconnection,
discontinuance
in the sense of lull
Definition
a short period of calm
a lull in the conversation
Synonyms
respite,
pause,
quiet,
silence,
calm,
hush,
tranquillity,
stillness,
let-up (informal),
calmness
in the sense of negligence
Definition
neglect or carelessness
He was responsible for his patients' deaths through gross negligence.
Synonyms
carelessness,
failure,
neglect,
disregard,
indifference,
shortcoming,
omission,
oversight,
dereliction,
forgetfulness,
slackness,
inattention,
laxity,
thoughtlessness,
laxness,
inadvertence,
inattentiveness,
heedlessness,
remissness
in the sense of omission
Definition
an act of missing out or failing to do something
an injury occasioned by any omission of the defendant
Synonyms
failure,
neglect,
default,
negligence,
oversight,
carelessness,
dereliction,
forgetfulness,
slackness,
laxity,
laxness,
slovenliness,
neglectfulness,
remissness
in the sense of oversight
Definition
a mistake caused by not noticing something
By an unfortunate oversight, full instructions do not come with the product.
Synonyms
mistake,
error,
slip,
fault,
misunderstanding,
blunder,
lapse,
omission,
boob (British, slang),
gaffe,
slip-up (informal),
delinquency,
inaccuracy,
carelessness,
howler (informal),
goof (informal),
bloomer (British, informal),
clanger (informal),
miscalculation,
error of judgment,
faux pas,
inattention,
laxity,
boo-boo (informal),
erratum,
barry or Barry Crocker (Australian, slang)
Additional synonyms
in the sense of pause
Definition
a temporary stop or rest in speech or action
There was a brief pause in the conversation.
Synonyms
stop,
break,
delay,
interval,
hesitation,
stay,
wait,
rest,
gap,
halt,
interruption,
respite,
lull,
stoppage,
interlude,
cessation,
let-up (informal),
breathing space,
breather (informal),
intermission,
discontinuance,
entr'acte,
caesura
in the sense of relapse
Definition
the act of relapsing
a relapse into the nationalism of the nineteenth century