adj Uncommon

heartbroken

Heartbroken (adj) means overwhelmed with grief, especially after a relationship ends or a loss occurs. Example: “She was heartbroken when her boyfriend left without any explanation.”

adj

Overwhelmed with grief, especially after a relationship ends or a loss occurs.

"She was heartbroken when her boyfriend left without any explanation."

"He's still heartbroken over the sale of the family farm."

How to Use Heartbroken

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDevastated, usually by lost love or a painful loss.

Common pairings

heartbroken over left heartbroken utterly heartbroken

Word Forms

more heartbroken comparative, most heartbroken superlative

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Fill the Gap

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She was _____ when her boyfriend left without any explanation.

Etymology

From "heart" + "broken" — the heart pictured as literally shattered by grief.

Rhymes for heartbroken

woken token broken spoken Hoboken unbroken unspoken outspoken

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “heartbroken” mean?

The word “heartbroken” means overwhelmed with grief, especially after a relationship ends or a loss occurs. In plain terms, devastated, usually by lost love or a painful loss.

How do you use “heartbroken” in a sentence?

Here is “heartbroken” used in a sentence: “She was heartbroken when her boyfriend left without any explanation.”

What part of speech is “heartbroken”?

“Heartbroken” is an adjective.

Is “heartbroken” a common word?

“Heartbroken” is an uncommon word in modern English.