collapsed - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
collapsed Word Meanings
- to fall down suddenly
- to fail suddenly
- to fold or cause to fold inwards
collapsed Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
collapsed Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/kəˈlæps/
US
/kəˈlæps/
collapsed Word Etymology
col- = together + lapse = slip; from Latin 'collapsus' (to fall together). Imagine a building that suddenly gives way, collapsing under its own weight, visualizing the moment when everything falls into a heap.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I place my hands on a wobbly shelf, keep my stance steady as I push to shift its weight toward the wall. The wood groans, screws loosen, and suddenly the whole thing collapses inward. My arms tense, I adjust my grip and catch the edge just in time, feeling the balance slip through my fingers. This moment echoes in real life—when plans or structures falter, I learn to hold my nerve, adapt, and set things right.
Real Context
Collapse is a versatile verb in English, used for physical failure as when a building or bridge gives way, but also for sudden breakdowns of systems, plans, or people’s stamina. It can describe a roof collapsing under weight, a bridge collapsing after an earthquake, or a market that collapses after panic. When talking about folding inward, collapse can imply a controlled or incidental folding into a compact shape, as with a tent or a card table that collapses for storage. Learners often confuse collapse with synonyms like fall, break, or end abruptly, and may mix up intransitive and transitive uses. The etymology hints at “together” and “slip” shaping the sense of weight and failure.
Usage Reminders
- Use for sudden physical failure or systemic breakdown
- Distinguish from fall and break; remember transitive vs intransitive uses
- For folding inward, think of it as a less controlled, sometimes abrupt, action
- Common collocations: collapse of a building, market collapse, table collapses for storage
- Avoid overusing collapse in casual, non-technical contexts
Common Misconceptions
- collapse always means physical falling, not a metaphor
- confusing with fall or break in all contexts
- using collapse for regular folding of objects
- transitive vs intransitive use misapplied
- thinking collapse implies intentional action rather than a failure
Thinking Differences
English often separates physical collapse from emotional or systemic failures; learners should map non-physical uses to phrases like 'crash' or 'fall apart' to avoid literal translations.
Learning Tips
- Link collapse to both physical and metaphorical uses
- Practice with building, system, and emotional contexts
- Differentiate transitive and intransitive forms
- Learn common collocations (collapse of the market, collapse table)
- Compare with synonyms: fall apart, break down
- Use visuals to memorize the sense of weight and failure
Related Listening
🔥 Advanced
Want to practice more words?
Download LexiTalk app for personalized learning experience
Download App