Lapse Meaning
/læps/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA temporary failure; a slip.
nounA decline or fall in standards.
Sentence Examples
Every time we talk about this, you lapse into silence.
Tom began to lapse in and out of consciousness.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Because of a short ____ in attention, he missed the correct exit on the highway.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A sudden ____ in concentration caused the driver to miss the exit on the busy highway earlier today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French laps, from Latin lāpsus, from lābī (“to slip”). Doublet of lapsus.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Now, tho’ this Scripture may be usefully understood and apply’d by us as a Caution to guard against those Lapses and Failings to which our Infirmities daily expose us"
— 1735, John Rogers, Nineteen Sermons on several occasions, London: W. Innys and R. Manby, →OCLC, page 108:
"The lapse to indolence is soft and imperceptible, because it is only a mere cessation of activity"
— 1751 September 10, Samuel Johnson, “No. CLV”, in The Rambler, →OCLC:
"Still onward winds the dreary way;
I with it; for I long to prove
No lapse of moons can canker Love,
Whatever fickle tongues may say."
— 1850, [Alfred, Lord Tennyson], “Canto XXVI”, in In Memoriam, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 43:
"Bacon was content to wait the lapse of long centuries for his expected revenue of fame"
— 1860, Isaac Taylor, Ultimate Civilization and Other Essays, London: Bell and Daldy, →OCLC, page 309:
"This perpetual disposition to shorten our words by retrenching the vowels, is nothing else but a tendency to lapse into the barbarity of those northern nations from whom we are descended"
— 1841, Jonathan Swift, “A letter to the Lord High Treasurer”, in The Works of Jonathan Swift, London: Henry Washbourne, →OCLC, page 288:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Because of a short ____ in attention, he missed the correct exit on the highway.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
A sudden ____ in concentration caused the driver to miss the exit on the busy highway earlier today.