collapse

B1 Topic:Actions & Processes

US /kɵˈlæps/ UK /kəˈlæps/ See IPA manual

Freq #5355

Meanings

1

verb
To fall down suddenly because of a loss of support or strength.

The old wall collapsed during the storm.
2

verb
To fail suddenly and completely.

Pyramid schemes make money for a while and then collapse.
3

verb
To fall down, usually because you are very ill, tired, or weak.

He collapsed after a long day at work.
4

verb
To fold something up so it takes less space.

Hurry up and collapse the tent so we can get moving.
5

noun
The sudden falling down or failure of something.

The roof is in danger of collapse.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 verb · to fall down suddenly... cave in

2 verb · to fail suddenly and... slump

Word family

Forms collapsedcollapsescollapsing

Derived forms collapsablecollapsarcollapsiblecollapsincollapsismcollapsitariancollapsiumcollapsogramcollapsologynoncollapsednoncollapsingpaleocollapse

Appears in

Phrases (2)

See all

Etymology

From Latin collāpsus (past participle of collābor).

collāpsus Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# collapse

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B1
**Part of speech:** verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /kɵˈlæps/
**IPA (UK):** /kəˈlæps/
**Frequency rank:** 5355

## Meanings
1. To fall down suddenly because of a loss of support or strength.
2. To fail suddenly and completely.
3. To fall down, usually because you are very ill, tired, or weak.
4. To fold something up so it takes less space.
5. The sudden falling down or failure of something.

## Examples
- The old wall collapsed during the storm.
- Pyramid schemes make money for a while and then collapse.
- He collapsed after a long day at work.
- Hurry up and collapse the tent so we can get moving.
- The roof is in danger of collapse.

## Derived Forms
- collapsable
- collapsar
- collapsible
- collapsin
- collapsism
- collapsitarian
- collapsium
- collapsogram
- collapsology
- noncollapsed
- noncollapsing
- paleocollapse

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: collāpsus

## Etymology
From Latin collāpsus (past participle of collābor).

## AI Etymology
collapse is a noun and verb. It is from Latin collāpsus (past participle of collābor). Historical forms in the chain include collāpsus (Latin). Current senses include to fall down suddenly because of a loss of support or strength, to fail suddenly and completely, and to fall down, usually because you are very ill, tired, or weak. Derived forms include collapsable, collapsar, collapsible, collapsin, and collapsism.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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