verb

bork

bawk

Quiz me More like this

Bork (verb) means Informal: to break, damage, or misconfigure something, especially a computer or piece of software. Example: “The update completely borked my laptop's wifi settings.”

verb

Informal: to break, damage, or misconfigure something, especially a computer or piece of software.

"The update completely borked my laptop's wifi settings."

"Don't touch that file, or you'll bork the whole system."

To publicly attack and discredit a person's character in order to block their appointment or nomination.

"Critics tried to bork the nominee with a barrage of old quotes taken out of context."

How to use bork

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo mess something up (tech slang), or to tank someone's nomination through a hostile public campaign.

When to use it

Very informal in both senses — common in tech circles and political commentary, not formal writing.

Common pairings

bork the system get borked bork a nomination

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like bork.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Plural: borks
Third person singular: borks
Past tense: borked, borken

Test yourself on “bork” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The update completely _____ my laptop's wifi settings.

Etymology

The "attack a nominee" sense comes directly from Robert Bork, whose 1987 U.S. Supreme Court nomination was defeated after a fierce public campaign against him; the "break/damage" sense (mainly used about computers) developed later as unrelated slang.

· First attested 1987

Class of 1987 bork joined the language around 1987.

Lexus robocop

See the full Class of 1987 →

Rhymes for bork

work cork fork pork dork Mork stork spork

See all rhymes for bork →

Frequently asked questions

What does “bork” mean?

The word “bork” means informal: to break, damage, or misconfigure something, especially a computer or piece of software. In plain terms, to mess something up (tech slang), or to tank someone's nomination through a hostile public campaign.

How do you pronounce “bork”?

“Bork” is pronounced bawk (/boɹk/ in IPA).

How do you use “bork” in a sentence?

Here is “bork” used in a sentence: “The update completely borked my laptop's wifi settings.”

What part of speech is “bork”?

“Bork” is a verb.

Where does the word “bork” come from?

The word “bork” dates back to around 1987.

How many meanings does “bork” have?

“Bork” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: informal: to break, damage, or misconfigure something, especially a computer or piece of software.