SLUMP

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does slump mean? 

• SLUMP (noun)
  The noun SLUMP has 2 senses:

1. a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality

2. a long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment

  Familiarity information: SLUMP used as a noun is rare.

• SLUMP (verb)
  The verb SLUMP has 4 senses:

1. assume a drooping posture or carriage

2. fall or sink heavily

3. fall heavily or suddenly; decline markedly

4. go down in value

  Familiarity information: SLUMP used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SLUMP (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A noticeable deterioration in performance or quality

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural processes

Synonyms:

drop-off; falling off; falloff; slack; slump

Context example:

a falloff in quality

Hypernyms ("slump" is a kind of...):

declension; decline in quality; deterioration; worsening (process of changing to an inferior state)

Derivation:

slump (fall heavily or suddenly; decline markedly)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

depression; economic crisis; slump

Hypernyms ("slump" is a kind of...):

crisis (an unstable situation of extreme danger or difficulty)

economic condition (the condition of the economy)

Instance hyponyms:

Great Depression (the economic crisis beginning with the stock market crash in 1929 and continuing through the 1930s)

Derivation:

slump (fall heavily or suddenly; decline markedly)

• SLUMP (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they slump    ... he / she / it slumps   
Past simple: slumped   
Past participle: slumped   
-ing form: slumping   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Assume a drooping posture or carriage

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

slouch; slump

Hypernyms (to "slump" is one way to...):

droop; flag; sag; swag (droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence examples:

The children slump in the rocking chair
There slump some children in the rocking chair

Sense 2

Meaning:

Fall or sink heavily

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

sink; slide down; slump

Context example:

My spirits sank

Hypernyms (to "slump" is one way to...):

break; cave in; collapse; fall in; founder; give; give way (break down, literally or metaphorically)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sense 3

Meaning:

Fall heavily or suddenly; decline markedly

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

fall off; sink; slump

Context example:

The real estate market fell off

Hypernyms (to "slump" is one way to...):

drop (go down in value)

Verb group:

drop; drop down; sink (fall or descend to a lower place or level)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

Sentence example:

The stock market is going to slump

Derivation:

slump (a noticeable deterioration in performance or quality)

slump (a long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Go down in value

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

correct; decline; slump

Context example:

prices slumped

Hypernyms (to "slump" is one way to...):

come down; descend; fall; go down (move downward and lower, but not necessarily all the way)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

Each flow ends on a slope that matches the dynamic "angle of repose" seen in the slumping dry sand of dunes on Mars and Earth.

(Recurring Martian Streaks: Flowing Sand, Not Water?, NASA)

Oxo is also unique because of the relatively large "slump" in its crater rim, where a mass of material has dropped below the surface.

(New Ceres Images Show Bright Craters, NASA)

It was about this time that Martin took a great slump in Maria's estimation.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The girl addressed was trying, unsuccessfully, to slump against my shoulder. At this inquiry she sat up and opened her eyes.

(The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald)