lapse - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
lapse Word Meanings
- a temporary failure of concentration or memory
- the passage of time
- to fall into a state of not functioning correctly
lapse Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
lapse Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/læps/
US
/læps/
lapse Word Etymology
lapse = lapse (root); Latin → Old French → English. Picture a clock ticking down with moments slipping away, like sand through an hourglass, representing time lost.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Lapse functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it denotes a temporary failure of concentration, memory, or judgment, or the passing of a period that leads to something expiring or becoming invalid. As a verb, lapse means to fall into a state where something no longer works correctly, or to let a contract, license, or period of validity slip by without renewal. Etymologically, lapse traces from Latin through Old French into English, carrying the sense that time is slipping away. Picture moments slipping away like sand in an hourglass, or a policy going dormant as deadlines drift past; the concept is short, reversible, and often recoverable with action.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: 1) Lapse can be brief, not a disaster. 2) It often involves attention, memory, or rules. 3) It can be legal/administrative, not just mental. 4) It contrasts with deliberate, repeated behavior. 5) It can be reversed with action.
Common Misconceptions
- A lapse always means a big or permanent failure.
- Lapse only refers to memory mistakes.
- Lapse and relapse are the same in all contexts.
- A lapse is only a legal term and never a psychological one.
- If you lapse once, you are permanently out of practice.
Thinking Differences
English tends to separate a brief, reversible lapse from deeper, repeated flaws; learners should notice when lapse is a one-off moment versus a pattern.
Learning Tips
- Link lapse to time: imagine moments slipping away.
- Practice common collocations: lapse in concentration, lapse in memory, lapse of judgment.
- Differentiate lapse from relapse and from expiration.
- Watch context: legal vs psychological uses.
- Use mnemonic images like sand slipping through a clock.
- Practice with short quizzes to identify if a lapse is brief or repeated.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 2: Usage
In which sentence is 'lapse' used correctly?
A.He decided to lapse into the pool.
B.The bird was a lapse of feathers.
C.She had a lapse in her memory.
D.The car started to lapse down the hill.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is a synonym of 'lapse'?
A.Decline
B.Recall
C.Improve
D.Persevere
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'lapse'?
A.Persist
B.Flourish
C.Skilled
D.Progress
Step 5: Mastery
How would you describe a 'lapse' in a real-life context?
A.Cooking a meal
B.Running a marathon
C.Reading a book
D.Forgetting to pay a bill on time
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
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