How to pronounce collapse
Say it like kuh-LAPS. Collapse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAPS).
- kuh
- LAPS
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Collapse pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- kuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- LAPSSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of collapse
American and British speakers say collapse in essentially the same way: /kəˈlæps/ in the US and /kəˈlæps/ in the UK.
British respelling: kuh-LAPS.
What does collapse mean?
- To break apart and fall down suddenly; to cave in.“The wall collapsed when it was hit by the wrecking ball.”
- To cease to function due to a sudden breakdown; to fail suddenly and completely.“Pyramid schemes tend to generate profits for a while and then collapse.”
- To fold compactly.
- The act of collapsing.“She suffered a terrible collapse after slipping on the wet floor.”
- Constant function, one-valued function (in automata theory) (in particular application causing a reset).
Where does collapse come from?
From Latin collāpsus (past participle of collābor).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with collapse
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of collapse.
Questions about saying collapse
How do you pronounce collapse?
Say kuh-LAPS. The American pronunciation is /kəˈlæps/. In British English it is /kəˈlæps/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in collapse?
Collapse has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (LAPS). Broken into parts: kuh · LAPS.
Do Americans and Brits say collapse the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /kəˈlæps/ and the British form is /kəˈlæps/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.