Words / B1

k-uh-LAPS/kəˈlæps/

Collapse means fall down suddenly, or fail completely. Buildings collapse; talks can collapse; a person may collapse from heat. Fall down is more everyday and physical. Fail is broader for exams and plans. Collapse sounds dramatic and is common in news reports.

Meaning

To fall down suddenly, or to fail completely.

Examples

• “The old bridge collapsed after the storm.”
• “Talks between the two sides collapsed last night.”
• “He collapsed after running in the heat.”

Good to know

a building / talks / a person can collapse. Everyday physical: fall down.

Near in meaning

fall down

New