lapse meaning and definition

LAPSE noun

Definition of lapse (noun)

1. a mistake resulting from inattention
   • synonyms: oversight
2. a break or intermission in the occurrence of something
   • "a lapse of three weeks between letters"
3. a failure to maintain a higher state
   • synonyms: backsliding, lapsing, relapse, relapsing, reversion, reverting

LAPSE verb

Definition of lapse (verb)

1. pass into a specified state or condition
   • "He sank into nirvana"
   • synonyms: pass, sink
2. end, at least for a long time
   • "The correspondence lapsed"
3. drop to a lower level, as in one's morals or standards
   • synonyms: backslide
4. go back to bad behavior
   • "Those who recidivate are often minor criminals"
   • synonyms: fall back, recidivate, regress, relapse, retrogress
5. let slip
   • "He lapsed his membership"
6. pass by
   • "three years elapsed"
   • synonyms: elapse, glide by, go along, go by, pass, slide by, slip away, slip by