collide
B2Formal & Informal (wider use in formal contexts for extended meaning)
Definition
Meaning
To crash violently into something or someone that is moving in a different direction.
To come into conflict or serious disagreement; to be incompatible or contradictory.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it primarily denotes a physical impact but is commonly extended metaphorically to conflicts of ideas, interests, or schedules. It implies a lack of intention to meet (accidental or unavoidable conflict).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage patterns.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English when used for non-physical conflicts (e.g., 'our views collided'). In American English, the physical sense is dominant.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties. The metaphorical extension is slightly more common in UK journalistic/academic writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] collided with [Object][Subject] and [Subject] collidedVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a collision course (with)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for scheduling conflicts or clashing business strategies ('The merger talks collapsed when their visions collided').
Academic
Common in physics (particles colliding) and social sciences for conflicting theories or ideologies.
Everyday
Primarily used for traffic accidents or minor schedule clashes ('Sorry, I can't make it; it collides with my dentist appointment').
Technical
In physics and engineering to describe the impact of bodies or particles.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The cyclist collided with a parked lorry on Regent Street.
- Their holiday plans collided with the rail strikes, causing chaos.
American English
- The truck collided with a sedan at the intersection.
- His testimony collided with the evidence presented by the prosecution.
adjective
British English
- The colliding particles were studied in depth.
- We have colliding schedules next Wednesday.
American English
- The colliding vehicles were both totaled.
- Colliding opinions made the meeting tense.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The two cars collided at the crossroads.
- I can't come, it collides with my football practice.
- The bus and the van collided in heavy fog this morning.
- Our views on the project collided during the meeting.
- Protesters and police collided outside the parliament building.
- The company's environmental goals collided with its profit targets.
- In the experiment, subatomic particles are made to collide at near-light speeds.
- The author's postmodern narrative technique collides with traditional plot structures, creating a jarring effect.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of two COLa CANS sliding on ice until they COLLIDE with a bang.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARGUMENT/OPPOSITION IS PHYSICAL COLLISION (e.g., 'Their personalities collided').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using literal cognate 'коллидировать' (archaic/rare in Russian). Use 'сталкиваться' for physical sense and 'противоречить/расходиться' for metaphorical conflict.
- Do not confuse with 'coincide' (совпадать). 'Collide' is negative conflict; 'coincide' is neutral/positive overlap.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'collide' with 'against' (correct: collide *with*).
- Using it for intentional hitting (e.g., 'He collided the ball' is incorrect).
- Confusing 'collide' (accidental, oppositional meeting) with 'coincide' (harmonious or neutral happening at same time).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'collide' correctly in a non-physical sense?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while its primary use is for physical crashes, it is very commonly used metaphorically for any kind of serious conflict or clash (e.g., opinions, schedules, interests).
It almost always takes the preposition 'with' (e.g., 'The car collided with a tree'). The pattern '[Subject] and [Subject] collided' is also common.
'Collide' emphasizes the mutual action of two or more moving objects hitting each other. 'Crash' can involve a single object hitting something stationary and can be both a noun and a verb. 'Collide' is more specific to mutual impact.
It is possible but sounds exaggerated for a minor bump. 'Collide' suggests a more significant, often violent impact. For a light, accidental touch, 'bump into' is more appropriate.