adj

brokeback

Brokeback (adj) means having a bent or hunched back; broken-down or derelict. Example: “The old brokeback barn leaned dangerously in the wind.”

adj

Having a bent or hunched back; broken-down or derelict.

"The old brokeback barn leaned dangerously in the wind."

How to use brokeback

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBent, broken-down, or run-down, as if the "back" of something has given way.

When to use it

Fairly rare outside of regional dialect or as a cultural reference to the film.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The old _____ barn leaned dangerously in the wind.

Etymology

A compound of "break" and "back," first used in the 1940s for a hunched or bent back; it entered wider popular use after the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain.

· First attested 2005

Class of 2005 brokeback joined the language around 2005.

Poe

See the full Class of 2005 →

Rhymes for brokeback

bareback comeback horseback

See all rhymes for brokeback →

Frequently asked questions

What does “brokeback” mean?

The word “brokeback” means having a bent or hunched back; broken-down or derelict. In plain terms, bent, broken-down, or run-down, as if the "back" of something has given way.

How do you use “brokeback” in a sentence?

Here is “brokeback” used in a sentence: “The old brokeback barn leaned dangerously in the wind.”

What part of speech is “brokeback”?

“Brokeback” is an adjective.

Where does the word “brokeback” come from?

The word “brokeback” dates back to around 2005. A compound of "break" and "back," first used in the 1940s for a hunched or bent back; it entered wider popular use after the 2005 film Brokeback Mountain.