collapse
kuh-LAPS
Collapse (verb) means to fall down or cave in suddenly. Example: “Several old houses collapsed when the ground shifted beneath them.”
verb
1
To fall down or cave in suddenly.
"Several old houses collapsed when the ground shifted beneath them."
"The old bridge collapsed under the weight of the truck."
"Part of the roof collapsed during the storm."
2
To fail suddenly and completely.
"Their plans collapsed when the main investor pulled out at the last minute."
"The negotiations collapsed after both sides refused to compromise."
"The company collapsed into bankruptcy within a year."
3
To suddenly fall to the ground, typically from exhaustion, illness, or fainting.
"A runner collapsed in the heat and was helped by the medics."
"She felt dizzy and collapsed onto the nearest chair."
"He collapsed on the finish line after the marathon."
4
To fold something into a smaller, more compact shape.
"This table collapses into a neat shape that fits behind the door."
"The tent collapses to the size of a loaf of bread."
"The stroller collapses flat for easy storage."
How to use collapse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFalling down suddenly, whether it's a building, a plan, a business, or a person.
Common pairings
collapse under pressure
economic collapse
collapse into a chair
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like collapse.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Third person singular
- collapses
- Past tense
- collapsed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Several old houses _____ when the ground shifted beneath them.
Etymology
From Latin collapsus, the past participle of collabor, meaning "to fall together".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for collapse
See all rhymes for collapse →Frequently asked questions
What does “collapse” mean?
The word “collapse” means to fall down or cave in suddenly. In plain terms, falling down suddenly, whether it's a building, a plan, a business, or a person.
How do you pronounce “collapse”?
“Collapse” is pronounced kuh-LAPS (/kəˈlæps/ in IPA).
How do you use “collapse” in a sentence?
Here is “collapse” used in a sentence: “The old bridge collapsed under the weight of the truck.”
What part of speech is “collapse”?
“Collapse” is a verb.
Where does the word “collapse” come from?
The word “collapse” comes from Latin. From Latin collapsus, the past participle of collabor, meaning "to fall together".
Is “collapse” a common word?
“Collapse” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “collapse” have?
“Collapse” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to fall down or cave in suddenly.
What is the difference between collapse and fall?
To collapse is to fall down or cave in suddenly, often because a structure or system gives way, while to fall is the more general act of dropping or coming down. Collapse suggests a sudden, complete failure of support, as when a building or a person collapses. A fall can be gentle or partial, but a collapse implies a breakdown.
What is the difference between collapse and crumble?
Collapse means to fall down or cave in suddenly, usually all at once, while crumble means to break gradually into small pieces. A wall can collapse in one moment or crumble slowly over time. Collapse stresses sudden failure, whereas crumble stresses gradual disintegration.
Can collapse be used to describe a person?
Yes, a person can collapse, meaning they fall down suddenly, often from exhaustion, illness, or fainting. This uses the literal sense of falling down suddenly. It usually signals a medical or physical crisis rather than a slow decline.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include collapse:
