What does slump mean?
A slump is a sharp or prolonged decline in something such as prices, sales, economic activity, performance, or confidence. The noun is especially common in business and economic reporting, as in “an economic slump” or “a slump in demand.” As a verb, slump describes falling sharply, losing momentum, or sitting and leaning heavily in a tired or dejected manner. Its connotations are consistently negative: a slump suggests deterioration, weakness, or discouragement rather than a small or neutral adjustment. The word is useful because it captures both measurable declines and the broader loss of energy associated with difficult circumstances. In formal contexts, it is often paired with adjectives such as “sharp,” “steep,” “slight,” or “prolonged,” which indicate the scale and duration of the decline.
A sudden or prolonged decline in prices, activity, demand, performance, or confidence.
"The industry experienced a prolonged slump after the financial crisis."
Common in economic, commercial, and performance contexts.
To decline sharply or fall into a lower level of activity, performance, or confidence.
"Support for the proposal slumped following the announcement."
Often transitive or followed by an intransitive preposition, as in “slump to” or “slump into.”
The plural is used for separate declines or periods of decline.
"The economy has experienced several slumps in the past decade."
An economic slump can send prices and confidence downhill at the same time.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does slump come from?
The word dates back to the early 17th century, but its precise origin is uncertain. Its earliest uses referred to a physical fall or sinking, a sense that developed into the modern meanings for a decline and for sitting or leaning heavily. The verb has also developed figurative uses for decreases in activity, performance, confidence, or enthusiasm.
Related word forms
How slump is actually used
The noun is especially common in economic and business contexts, while the verb is also widely used to describe posture, mood, or performance. It generally conveys a fairly substantial fall rather than a minor decrease.
Easily confused with slump
A lump is a compact mass or an irregular swelling, whereas a slump is a decline or a heavy, careless way of sitting.