Collapsed
/kəˈlæpst/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo fall down or inwards suddenly; to cave in.
/kəˈlæpst/
To fall down suddenly and completely.
The old building collapsed during the earthquake.
💡 Simply: When something suddenly falls down or breaks apart completely, it collapses. Think of a house of cards collapsing when you touch it.
👶 For kids: When something falls down all at once, like a tower of blocks.
More Examples
She collapsed from exhaustion.
How It's Used
"The bridge collapsed under the weight of the traffic."
"His lung collapsed after the accident."
To suddenly fail or stop functioning.
/kəˈlæpst/
To fail or stop functioning suddenly.
The talks collapsed without agreement.
💡 Simply: When a plan or system suddenly stops working, it collapses. Like when your favorite game suddenly stops working.
👶 For kids: When something stops working all of a sudden.
More Examples
The company collapsed into bankruptcy.
How It's Used
"The negotiations collapsed due to a lack of trust."
From Middle English *collapsen, from Latin *collapsus, past participle of collapsus, from collabi 'to fall together', from com- 'together' + labi 'to fall'.
The word has been used in similar ways since the Middle Ages, often referring to the physical collapse of structures.
Memory tip
Imagine a collapsing building – sudden and complete.