adj
Very common
broke
BROHK
Broke (adj) means having no money; financially ruined. Example: “After paying the rent, I'm broke until the end of the month.”
adj
1
Having no money; financially ruined.
"After paying the rent, I'm broke until the end of the month."
"I can't go out tonight, I'm completely broke."
"The company went broke after losing its biggest client."
verb
1
Past tense of "break."
"The glass fell off the table and broke into tiny pieces."
"He broke his promise, and she did not speak to him for days."
"She broke the vase while dusting the shelf."
How to use broke
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHaving no money at all, or the simple past tense of "break."
Common mistake
As an adjective meaning "no money," "broke" doesn't change form — you don't say "broker" for "more broke"; use "more broke" or, better, "worse off."
Common pairings
dead broke
flat broke
go broke
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Word forms
- Plural
- brokes
- Third person singular
- brokes
- Past tense
- broked
- Comparative
- broker, more broke
- Superlative
- brokest, most broke
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
After paying the rent, I'm _____ until the end of the month.
Etymology
An older past-tense form of "break," which survives today mainly as the adjective meaning "out of money."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for broke
See all rhymes for broke →Frequently asked questions
What does “broke” mean?
The word “broke” means having no money; financially ruined. In plain terms, having no money at all, or the simple past tense of "break.".
How do you pronounce “broke”?
“Broke” is pronounced BROHK (/ˈbɹoʊ̯k/ in IPA).
How do you use “broke” in a sentence?
Here is “broke” used in a sentence: “I can't go out tonight, I'm completely broke.”
What part of speech is “broke”?
Depending on how it is used, “broke” can be an adjective and a verb.
Is “broke” a common word?
“Broke” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “broke” have?
“Broke” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having no money; financially ruined.
What is the difference between broke and broken?
As an adjective, 'broke' means having no money, as in 'I'm broke this month.' 'Broken' means damaged or not working, as in 'a broken phone.' Confusingly, 'broke' is also the past tense of 'break,' but the money sense is a separate, informal adjective.
What is the difference between broke and bankrupt?
Being broke is usually informal and temporary — you simply have no cash right now. Bankruptcy is a formal legal status declared when someone cannot pay their debts at all. You can be broke for a week between paydays; bankruptcy is a serious, lasting financial event.
Is 'broke' formal or informal?
'Broke' meaning penniless is informal and conversational. In formal or financial writing you would use terms like 'insolvent,' 'without funds,' or 'unable to meet expenses' instead. It is perfectly natural in everyday speech but out of place in official or professional documents.
What is the opposite of broke?
The opposites are words like rich, wealthy, well-off, and the informal 'flush,' all describing someone with plenty of money. Where being broke means having no money at all, these describe having more than enough to cover your needs and spend comfortably without worry.
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