lapse

1 of 2

noun

ˈlaps 

1

a

: a slight error typically due to forgetfulness or inattention

a lapse in table manners

a lapse in security

b

: a temporary deviation or fall especially from a higher to a lower state

a lapse from grace

ethical lapses

2

: a becoming less : decline

a lapse in the supply of technicians

3

a(1)

: the termination of a right or privilege through neglect to exercise it within some limit of time

(2)

: termination of coverage for nonpayment of premiums

the lapse of an insurance policy

b

: interruption, discontinuance

returned to college after a lapse of several years

4

: an abandonment of religious faith

5

: a passage of time

also : interval

the roots of trees … have been preserved after a lapse of five thousand years

—Niger Calder

lapse

2 of 2

verb

lapsed; lapsing

intransitive verb

1

a

: to fall from an attained and usually high level (as of morals or manners) to one much lower

also : to depart from an accepted pattern or standard

b

: sink, slip

lapsed into unconsciousness

2

: to go out of existence : cease

after a few polite exchanges, the conversation lapsed

3

: to pass from one proprietor to another or from an original owner by omission or negligence

allowed the insurance policy to lapse

4

: to glide along : pass

time lapses

transitive verb

: to let slip : forfeit

all of those who have lapsed their membership

—AAUP Bull.

lapser noun

Synonyms

Noun

• knock
• reversal
• reverse
• setback

Verb

• break off
• break up
• cease
• close
• conclude
• dead-end
• determine
• die
• discontinue
• elapse
• end
• expire
• finish
• go
• halt
• leave off
• let up
• pass
• quit
• stop
• terminate
• wind up
• wink (out)

Choose the Right Synonym for lapse

error, mistake, blunder, slip, lapse mean a departure from what is true, right, or proper.

error suggests the existence of a standard or guide and a straying from the right course through failure to make effective use of this.

procedural errors

mistake implies misconception or inadvertence and usually expresses less criticism than error.

dialed the wrong number by mistake

blunder regularly imputes stupidity or ignorance as a cause and connotes some degree of blame.

diplomatic blunders

slip stresses inadvertence or accident and applies especially to trivial but embarrassing mistakes.

a slip of the tongue

lapse stresses forgetfulness, weakness, or inattention as a cause.

a lapse in judgment

Examples of lapse in a Sentence

Noun

He blamed the error on a minor mental lapse.

a lapse into bad habits

Verb

After a few polite words the conversation lapsed.

Her interest in politics lapsed while she was in medical school.

She didn't pay the premium and her life insurance policy lapsed.

He forgot to renew his driver's license, so it lapsed.

She allowed the magazine subscription to lapse.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The controversy represented a significant security lapse that could have affected the mission had the reporter not waited about a week to report on the chat’s contents. —Mike Brest, The Washington Examiner, 1 May 2025

Even before Hoffman’s death on Sunday, lawmakers were already quietly scrambling to avoid a lapse in the program. —Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 28 Apr. 2025

Verb

Frame learning as an insurance policy leaders cannot afford to let lapse. —Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025

The following season, Jo rekindles things with old flame Reed Carter (James Wilder), an ex-con who has begun to lapse back into his old ways, despite telling Jo he's gone straight. —Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Latin lapsus, from labi to slip — more at sleep

First Known Use

Noun

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1611, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing lapse

• lapse into
• lapse rate
• memory lapse
• time-lapse

Rhymes for lapse

• apps
• caps
• chaps
• claps
• craps
• flaps
• gaps
• laps
• maps
• nappes
• naps
• raps

Kids Definition

lapse

1 of 2 noun

ˈlaps 

1

a

: a slight error or slip

lapse of memory

b

: a temporary fall especially from a higher to a lower state

lapse into bad habits

2

: the ending of a right or privilege through failure to meet requirements

3

: a passage of time

also : interval sense 1

lapse

2 of 2 verb

lapsed; lapsing

1

: to slip, pass, or fall gradually

lapse into silence

2

: to come to an end : cease

Legal Definition

lapse

1 of 2 noun

ˈlaps 

: a termination or failure due to events, neglect, or time: as

a

: the failure of a bequest (as because the intended recipient dies before the testator) compare anti-lapse statute

b

: the termination of an insurance policy because of nonpayment of premiums or nonrenewal

lapse

2 of 2 verb

lapsed; lapsing

intransitive verb

: to terminate, become ineffective, or fail

the bequest lapsed when the son died before the father

allowed the insurance policy to lapse

transitive verb

: to cause (as a policy) to lapse

the company lapsed the policy