B2 adjective Neutral

collapse

/kəˈlæps/

Describing a state of having fallen down, caved in, or suddenly failed in structure or function. It is used to characterize physical objects, economic systems, or biological states that have undergone a total breakdown.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The collapsed bridge made the mountain road completely impassable.

The collapsed bridge made the mountain road completely impassable.

2

The survey focused on the collapsed sectors of the post-war economy.

The survey focused on the collapsed sectors of the post-war economy.

3

He looked totally collapsed on the sofa after his twelve-hour shift.

He looked totally collapsed on the sofa after his twelve-hour shift.

Word Family

Noun
collapse
Verb
collapse
Adjective
collapsed
Related
collapsibility
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Memory Tip

Think of a 'COLumn' that 'LAPSes' (fails) and falls down into a heap.

Quick Quiz

The rescue team searched the ___ building for survivors for over forty-eight hours.

Correct!

The correct answer is: collapsed

Examples

1

The collapsed bridge made the mountain road completely impassable.

everyday

The collapsed bridge made the mountain road completely impassable.

2

The survey focused on the collapsed sectors of the post-war economy.

formal

The survey focused on the collapsed sectors of the post-war economy.

3

He looked totally collapsed on the sofa after his twelve-hour shift.

informal

He looked totally collapsed on the sofa after his twelve-hour shift.

4

The study analyzes the collapsed architectural remains of the Mayan civilization.

academic

The study analyzes the collapsed architectural remains of the Mayan civilization.

5

The legal team reviewed the documents from the collapsed real estate venture.

business

The legal team reviewed the documents from the collapsed real estate venture.

Word Family

Noun
collapse
Verb
collapse
Adjective
collapsed
Related
collapsibility

Common Collocations

collapsed lung collapsed lung
collapsed structure collapsed structure
total collapse total collapse
economic collapse economic collapse
collapse hazard collapse hazard

Common Phrases

on the verge of collapse

on the verge of collapse

suffer a collapse

suffer a collapse

imminent collapse

imminent collapse

Often Confused With

collapse vs collision

A collision involves two things hitting each other, whereas a collapse is one thing falling inward or down.

📝

Usage Notes

While 'collapse' is primarily a noun or verb, it is used adjectivally (most commonly in its participle form 'collapsed') to describe something that has already failed or fallen. It implies a suddenness that words like 'decayed' do not.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often use 'collapse' to mean a simple decrease in value; however, it should be reserved for a sudden, dramatic, and total loss.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of a 'COLumn' that 'LAPSes' (fails) and falls down into a heap.

📖

Word Origin

Derived from the Latin 'collabi', where 'com-' (together) and 'labi' (to slip/fall) combine to mean 'to fall together'.

Grammar Patterns

Often used as a past participle adjective (collapsed) Can function as an attributive noun in technical contexts (e.g., collapse zone)
🌍

Cultural Context

The term is frequently used in global news to describe sudden stock market crashes or the physical destruction of buildings during natural disasters.

Quick Quiz

The rescue team searched the ___ building for survivors for over forty-eight hours.

Correct!

The correct answer is: collapsed

Related Words

inautoency

C1

Describing a state of being incapable of self-initiated action or lacking independent agency. It refers to systems, behaviors, or individuals that remain passive and require an external trigger or command to function.

ancarny

C1

Relating to deep, ancient instincts or primal physical sensations that evoke a sense of mystery or unsettling familiarity. It describes behaviors or feelings that seem to be inherited from prehistoric ancestors and manifest in modern contexts.

tripendward

C1

Describing a trajectory, movement, or orientation directed toward a three-fold suspension or a point supported by three distinct anchors. It characterizes an object or path that leans toward a junction where three entities or supports meet.

synacrness

C1

Describing a quality of simultaneous acute precision and synchronized coordination. It refers to the state where multiple sharp or intense elements occur at once with perfect alignment.

unmalance

C1

A state of persistent or structural lack of equilibrium, specifically when this lack of balance leads to a detrimental or inefficient outcome. It is often used in technical or test-specific environments to describe systems where the distribution of elements is intentionally or erroneously skewed.

comtermness

C1

To engage in the process of establishing common terminology or shared linguistic understanding within a specific group. It involves negotiating and refining definitions to ensure all parties are aligned on technical concepts.

semifinism

C1

Relating to a state of partial completion or an intermediate stage in a process where a final goal is reached in function but not in form. It describes something that is operational yet lacks the definitive polish or finality of a completed work.

revaltion

C1

A revelation is the act of revealing or disclosing a surprising and previously unknown fact, especially one that is made in a dramatic way. It can also refer to a divine or supernatural disclosure of information to humanity.

bifugcy

C1

To divide or branch into two distinct, often divergent paths or outcomes, typically used in contexts involving complex decision-making or evolutionary processes. It implies a definitive split where the resulting entities develop independently and no longer overlap.

intravictship

C1

Describing the internal relations, dynamics, or psychological states that exist within a group sharing a common victory or high-status achievement. It refers specifically to the nuances of interaction between members who are part of the same successful collective.

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