# slippage

/ˈsɫɪpɪdʒ/ (US) · /slˈɪpɪdʒ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/slippage
Updated: 2026-07-19

## Definition

the act of sliding or moving out of place, or a small loss in progress or value. In trading and cryptocurrency, slippage is the gap between the price you expect on a trade and the price it actually executes at, which widens when the market is volatile or thinly traded.

For teachers: the act or instance of sliding out of position, or a gradual decline in performance, standards, or value. In trading, slippage is the difference between an order's expected execution price and its actual fill price, driven by volatility and low liquidity.

## Examples

- The project suffered from some slippage in the schedule.
- The manager noted a slight slippage in quality control after the new software system was installed.
- Market analysts warned that the currency's recent slippage against the dollar could trigger inflationary pressures across the domestic manufacturing sector.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.