slippage

American  

[slip-ij] / ˈslɪp ɪdʒ /

noun

1. an act or instance of slipping.

2. an amount or extent of slipping.

3. failure to maintain an expected level, fulfill a goal, meet a deadline, etc.; loss, decline, or delay; a falling off.

4. Machinery. the amount of work dissipated by slipping of parts, excess play, etc.

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slippage British  

/ ˈslɪpɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of slipping

2. the amount of slipping or the extent to which slipping occurs

3. 1. an instance of not reaching a norm, target, etc

   2. the extent of this

4. the power lost in a mechanical device or system as a result of slipping

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Etymology

Origin of slippage

First recorded in 1840–50; slip ¹ + -age

Example Sentences

So, the jobs market had some slippage of momentum ahead of recent geopolitical events.

From Barron's • Mar. 6, 2026

But if England can avoid the early scoreboard slippage that has afflicted them in the past matches and stick tight to the hosts, they may be rewarded.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

The writing is muddled at times by a certain narrative slippage wherein one cannot tell whether the biting observations about clueless classmates and pretentious doctors come from Alice or Mr. deBoer.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

But Yeh’s not alone in recognizing the slippage between what’s considered refined and what’s deemed ridiculous.

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2025

Ongoing Ugandan   involvement in the war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,   corruption within the government, and slippage in the government's   determination to press reforms raise doubts about the continuation   of strong growth.

From The 2003 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency