collapse
word
/kəˈɫæps/
kuh-LAPS
/kəlˈæps/
kuh-LAPS
Definition
To fall down suddenly, especially because of weakness or damage; can also mean to fail completely or stop functioning.
Usage & Nuances
'Collapse' as a verb often describes buildings, systems, or people (from exhaustion); as a noun, it refers to the event. Collocates with 'building', 'market', 'health', and 'government'. Informal: can mean fainting or suddenly stopping function.
Spanish: colapsar - derrumbarsePortuguese (BR): colapsar - desmoronarPortuguese (PT): colapsar - desmoronarChinese (Simplified): 倒塌 - 崩溃Chinese (Traditional): 倒塌 - 崩潰Hindi: ढहना - गिर पड़ना - पतन होनाArabic: انهار - سقطBengali: ভেঙে পড়া - ধ্বংস হওয়া - অজ্ঞান হয়ে পড়াRussian: рухнуть - обрушиться - потерпеть крахJapanese: 崩れる - 倒れるVietnamese: sụp đổ - gục ngãKorean: 무너지다 - 쓰러지다Turkish: çökmek - yıkılmakUrdu: گر جانا - منہدم ہونا - ناکام ہوناIndonesian: roboh - runtuh - pingsan
Example Sentences
The building collapsed after the earthquake.
basic
She felt so tired that she almost collapsed.
basic
The company will collapse if sales do not improve.
basic
After running the marathon, he just wanted to collapse on the couch.
natural
There were fears that the financial system might collapse.
natural
The chair looked fine, but when I sat down, it just collapsed!
natural