collapsible

Everyday

1. Made so that it can be folded up or pushed down into a smaller shape when not being used (a collapsible chair, a collapsible water bottle). tree →
2. Likely or able to fall down or fold in (a collapsible steering column that folds in a crash for safety). tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life collapsible things save space: camping chairs, cups, umbrellas, crates. In design and technology lessons pupils may design collapsible structures. In car safety, some parts are made collapsible to absorb a crash. It tells the reader something folds or shrinks on purpose.

Examples

• We took collapsible chairs to the beach. tree →
• My collapsible water bottle fits in my pocket. tree →
• The collapsible table folds flat against the wall. tree →
• Grandma has a collapsible walking stick. tree →
• In DT we designed a collapsible bridge. tree →
• The car's steering wheel is collapsible to protect the driver. tree →

Note

Spelled with -ible (not -able): collapsible. Comes from «collapse». Some dictionaries also accept «collapsable», but «collapsible» is the standard spelling.