slump

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'slump' is correct and usable in written English.
It generally means to pass into a period of decline or decrease in activity or importance, especially when unexpected. For example: "The stock market suffered a sudden slump yesterday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In this slump, it is down almost 7 percent, and still has not really begun to recover.

The New York Times

Stephens has shown some encouraging signs in 2015 of coming back from what could be called her "sophomore slump" after a 2013 season that featured some impressive results at Grand Slams.

The Guardian - Sport

4 Property Ladder reappears on TV. 5 Bombastic US television stock-picker Jim Cramer appears unusually subdued and forecasts a slump.

The Guardian - Business

First, in 2010-11, they pledged that making historic cuts amid a global slump would definitely, absolutely secure a strong recovery.

The Guardian - Opinion

Despite the end-of-season slump Bruce reflected with some satisfaction.

The Guardian - Sport

Greece is currently experiencing its fifth straight year of recession in what has become its worst slump since WWII.

The Guardian - Business

Much of Aberdeen's future wellbeing – and the Treasury's tax take from the North Sea – depends on how long the current price slump will last and that could be influenced by many things, not least whether Opec will cut production in the spring.

The Guardian - Business

The total return of £14,897, equivalent to a compound annual return of 16.2%, was boosted by price rises of 8.3% in 2014, when the property market recovered from its post-crisis slump.

The Guardian - Money

The Captain Elias Hotel is just a shell, deserted during the economic slump.

The Guardian

Years ago, Roy Jenkins asked me if I recalled that, in The Great Crash, Kenneth Galbraith had identified the beginning of the interwar slump as the day when the value of shares in Union Carbide plunged from several dollars to a few cents.

The Guardian - Opinion

For Melancholy in his eyes is the badge of genius - to aspire to know and create is to slump into despair.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic conditions, clarify the specific sector or area affected by the "slump" to provide context.

Common error

Avoid using "slump" as a catch-all term for any kind of decline. Specify the type of decline (e.g. economic, performance-related) and, if possible, quantify the extent of the "slump".

Linguistic Context

The word "slump" functions primarily as a noun to describe a sudden or significant decline or drop. It can also act as a verb, indicating a heavy or helpless collapse. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "slump" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to describe a significant decline or drop, particularly in economic or performance contexts. As noted by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various sources, most notably in News & Media. While "slump" is suitable for describing various declines, it's best to specify the type of decline for clarity and avoid overuse as a universal descriptor. Alternatives like "downturn", ""decline"", and "recession" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

downturn

Indicates a downward trend, often in economic terms, similar to a "slump" but potentially less severe.

decline

Suggests a gradual decrease or deterioration, which can be used in various contexts like health, sales, or influence.

recession

Refers specifically to a period of economic decline, more formal and technical than a "slump".

drop-off

Emphasizes a decrease or reduction, often sudden or noticeable.

falloff

Similar to drop-off, indicating a reduction in quantity or quality.

decrease

A general term for becoming smaller or fewer; lacks the negative connotations of "slump".

reduction

Similar to decrease, implying a lessening in size, amount, or degree.

setback

Implies a temporary impediment or reversal in progress, not necessarily a long-term decline.

downtrend

Indicates a general tendency to decrease or decline over time, particularly in statistics or economics.

nosedive

Suggests a rapid and dramatic fall, more intense than a "slump".

FAQs

How can I use "slump" in a sentence?

You can use "slump" to describe a sudden decline, as in "The company experienced a significant "decline" in sales last quarter".

What are some alternatives to the word "slump"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "downturn", "recession", or ""decline"".

Is it correct to say "economic slump"?

Yes, "economic slump" is a correct and commonly used phrase to describe a period of economic decline. For instance: "The nation is facing an "economic decline"".

What's the difference between a "slump" and a "recession"?

While both indicate economic downturns, a "slump" is a more general term for any significant decline, while "recession" is a specific term for a prolonged period of economic contraction.