verb B1 Intermediate Common

collapse

kuh-LAPS

Collapse (verb) means to fall down or cave in suddenly. Example: “The old bridge collapsed under the weight of the truck.”

verb

To fall down or cave in suddenly.

"The old bridge collapsed under the weight of the truck."

"Part of the roof collapsed during the storm."

To fail suddenly and completely.

"The negotiations collapsed after both sides refused to compromise."

"The company collapsed into bankruptcy within a year."

To suddenly fall to the ground, typically from exhaustion, illness, or fainting.

"He collapsed on the finish line after the marathon."

To fold something into a smaller, more compact shape.

"The stroller collapses flat for easy storage."

How to Use Collapse

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

collapsed past tense, collapses singular

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old bridge _____ under the weight of the truck.

Etymology

From Latin collapsus, the past participle of collabor, meaning "to fall together".

Origin: Latin

Rhymes for collapse

lapse relapse

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.