Collapse

Quick meaning: Collapse is a verb meaning (intransitive) To break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.

Meaning

(intransitive) To break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.

More Meanings

1. (intransitive) To cease to function due to a sudden breakdown; to fail suddenly and completely.
2. (intransitive) To fold compactly.
3. (transitive, computing) In a hierarchical list (such as a directory tree or table of contents), to hide the subentries of (an entry).
4. (intransitive, cricket) To suffer a batting collapse.
5. (transitive) To cause something to collapse.
6. (intransitive) To pass out and fall to the floor or ground, as from exhaustion or other illness; to faint.
7. The act of collapsing.

Example Sentences

A balloon collapses when the gas escapes from it.

Hurry up and collapse the tent so we can get moving.

Immediately after his wicket the team collapsed for 69.

She suffered a terrible collapse after slipping on the wet floor.

Word Forms

• collapses
• collapsing
• collapsed

Synonyms for collapse

Depending on context, synonyms include slump, telescope, break, crack, give, burst.

Antonyms for collapse

Common opposites include expand.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include crumble, flop, tumble, break, break down, burst.

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