shattered
Shattered (adj) means broken violently into many pieces. Example: “The shattered vase lay in pieces on the floor.”
How to Use Shattered
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBroken to pieces, emotionally crushed, or (informally in British English) exhausted.
The "extremely tired" sense is informal and especially common in British English.
Word Forms
more shattered comparative, most shattered superlative
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ vase lay in pieces on the floor.
Related Words
Rhymes for shattered
See all rhymes for shattered →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “shattered” mean?
The word “shattered” means broken violently into many pieces. In plain terms, broken to pieces, emotionally crushed, or (informally in British English) exhausted.
How do you pronounce “shattered”?
“Shattered” is pronounced SHA-tuhd (/ˈʃætɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “shattered” in a sentence?
Here is “shattered” used in a sentence: “The shattered vase lay in pieces on the floor.”
What part of speech is “shattered”?
“Shattered” is an adjective.
Is “shattered” a common word?
“Shattered” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shattered” have?
“Shattered” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: broken violently into many pieces.
What is the difference between 'shattered' meaning broken and 'shattered' meaning tired?
When describing an object, 'shattered' means broken violently into many pieces, like a shattered window. When describing a person, especially in informal British usage, 'shattered' means extremely tired, and it can also mean emotionally devastated, so context determines which sense applies.
Is 'shattered' meaning tired formal or informal?
'Shattered' meaning extremely tired is informal British usage and would not typically appear in formal writing, where words like 'exhausted' are more appropriate.
What is the difference between 'shattered' and 'broken'?
'Broken' is a general term for something no longer whole or working, while 'shattered' specifically implies violent breakage into many small pieces, suggesting a more forceful and thorough destruction.