memory lapse

/ˈmɛməri læps/

Definition

Definition of memory lapse - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

forgetfulnesstemporary inability to remember something

She had a memory lapse during the test.
He experienced a memory lapse while recalling the event.
During the interview, I had a memory lapse and forgot my lines.

amnesia

forgetfulness

Add a suggestion |

Feedback:

Expressions with memory

dim memory

vague recollection of something

I have a dim memory of visiting this place as a child.

elephant's memory

very good memory like an elephant

She has an elephant's memory for birthdays.

jog memory

help someone remember something forgotten

The old photo jogged my memory of our trip.

memory lane

nostalgic journey through past memories

We took a walk down memory lane, recalling our childhood.

erase from memory

remove something from one's memory

She tried to erase the painful event from memory.

have a short memory

forget things quickly or easily

He has a short memory and often forgets names.

Expressions with lapse

lapse into

gradually fall into a worse condition

After months without work or friends, he lapsed into depression.

lapse from faith

temporary decline in religious belief or commitment

His lapse from faith worried his family.

lapse from grace

loss of respect, approval, or moral standing

After the scandal, he suffered a lapse from grace.

lapse of judgement

temporary failure in decision making

His lapse of judgement led to a costly mistake.

lapse of judgment

temporary mistake in decision-making or reasoning

His lapse of judgment cost him the promotion.

lapse of time

period that passes between two events or moments

The contract expired after a lapse of time.

lapse into obscurity

become forgotten or no longer noticed by people

Many old artists lapse into obscurity after their peak.

time lapse

period that elapses between two events

There was a long time lapse between the two calls.

time-lapse

adj.

relating to recording slow changes by taking spaced photos

The time-lapse video showed the flower blooming quickly.

adiabatic lapse rate

rate of temperature change in rising moist air

Meteorologists study the adiabatic lapse rate for weather predictions.

Terms with memory lapse included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.

blank out

memory lapse

temporarily forget something

my mind goes blank

exp.

memory lapse

used when I suddenly cannot think of anything

brain fade

memory lapse

momentary forgetfulness or confusion

senior moment

memory lapse

temporary memory failure or confusion attributed to aging

View all translations of memory lapse

✨Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.

French:trou de mémoire, ...
German:Gedächtnislücke, ...
Italian:vuoto di memoria, ...
Spanish:olvido, ...
Portuguese:lapso de memória, ...
Chinese:记忆空白, ...
Japanese:記憶喪失, ...
Arabic:فقدان الذّاكرة المؤقّت, ...
Hebrew:חוֹר בַּזִּכָּרוֹן, ...
Russian:провал в памяти, ...
Ukrainian:провал пам'яті, ...
Hindi:स्मृति लोप, ...
Bengali:স্মৃতি বিভ্রাট, ...
Catalan:lapsus de memòria, ...
Czech:výpadek paměti, ...
Danish:glemselsøjeblik, ...
Dutch:geheugenverlies, ...
Greek:κενό μνήμης, ...
Hungarian:emlékezetkiesés, ...
Khmer:ការភ្លេចភ្លាំង, ...
Korean:기억 상실, ...
Persian:وقفه حافظه, ...
Polish:zaćmienie pamięci, ...
Portuguese (BR):lapso de memória, ...
Romanian:lapsus de memorie, ...
Swedish:minneslucka, ...
Thai:อาการหลงลืม, ...
Turkish:hafıza kaybı, ...
Vietnamese:cơn đãng trí, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

100,000 expressions & idioms Understand any expression you come across: from corporate jargon like 💬 touch base or ↩️ circle back to everyday expressions such as 🌊 out of the blue or 🦆 lame duck, as well as idioms like 🍲 spill the beans and 🐎 hold your horses.

40,000 images When you search for a concrete noun or object, images help you grasp the meaning at a glance. Try searching for 🧵 puppytooth, 🎠 merry-go-round, ⚜️ fleur-de-lys, or 💤 bunk bed.

Informal language & slang Everyday conversations are packed with informal expressions and slang. Meanings are clearly tagged, so you'll always know when a word is casual. Look up hangry (😋 hungry + 😡 angry), 😎 rizz, 🕹️ noob, or 🔑 low-key.

Abbreviations & acronyms Quickly decode modern abbreviations and acronyms. Go from IDK to OMG in seconds and stay up to date with popular abbreviations such as 🐐 GOAT, 📜 tl;dr, 👀 POV, or 🖥️ AFK.

Regional usage (US / UK) Reverso highlights regional differences between American and British English. You’ll never have to wonder where a word is commonly used: try lift vs. elevator, courgette vs. zucchini, or popular British slang like dodgy or banter. What’s more, when you search for 'color', you’ll immediately see its British counterpart, 'colour'.

Get more than a simple definition

Translations for each meaning View translations alongside each meaning to see how a word is translated in each context. Simply toggle translations ON and choose among 25+ languages. You can also display the translation of definitions or examples into your native language to deepen your understanding.

Synonyms & related words by meaning View synonyms and related words for each meaning, not just for the word as a whole. This helps you choose the most accurate word for your context. Click the

icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.

Multiple examples for every meaning Each meaning comes with three real-life examples to show you how the word is used in different contexts. Click the

icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.

Go from understanding to mastery

Save words for later review Click the

icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the

icon next to it. For example, you might want to save the word “table” as a verb, which means “to postpone”.

Practice with personalized flashcards Reverso automatically transforms your searches and saved words into personalized flashcards and quizzes, featuring high-quality audio and usage examples. This helps you transform terms you only recognize into words you actually use confidently.

Learn with Netflix, YouTube, and your favorite texts With Reverso Chrome extension, transform movies, TV shows, articles, or song lyrics into an interactive lesson. Look up words and expressions in one click on any website and learn with your favorite content.

Definition of memory lapse - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

Expressions with memory

Expressions with lapse

Terms related to memory lapse

Terms with memory lapse included in their meaning

View all translations of memory lapse

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

Get more than a simple definition

Go from understanding to mastery