broken
BROH-kn
Broken (adj) means Separated into pieces; fractured or shattered. Example: “Be careful, there are pieces of a broken plate under the table.”
adj
1
Separated into pieces; fractured or shattered.
"Be careful, there are pieces of a broken plate under the table."
"She swept up the broken glass from the floor."
"He came home from the game with a broken finger."
2
Not working properly; out of order.
"The washing machine has been broken for a week."
"The lift is broken again, so we have to use the stairs."
"Sorry, the card machine is broken, so can you pay cash?"
3
Emotionally devastated or defeated.
"After years of bad luck, the old farmer seemed a broken man."
"She felt completely broken when the company closed and everyone lost their jobs."
"He looked broken after losing the final match."
How to use broken
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn pieces, not working, or emotionally crushed — the past participle of "break" used as an adjective.
Common pairings
broken glass
broken bone
broken promise
broken heart
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more broken
- Superlative
- most broken
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Be careful, there are pieces of a _____ plate under the table.
Etymology
From Old English brocen, the past participle of the verb "to break," inherited from a common Germanic root.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for broken
See all rhymes for broken →Frequently asked questions
What does “broken” mean?
The word “broken” means separated into pieces; fractured or shattered. In plain terms, in pieces, not working, or emotionally crushed — the past participle of "break" used as an adjective.
How do you pronounce “broken”?
“Broken” is pronounced BROH-kn (/ˈbɹoʊ.kɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “broken” in a sentence?
Here is “broken” used in a sentence: “She swept up the broken glass from the floor.”
What is another word for “broken”?
Words with a similar meaning to “broken” include banjaxed, bum, busted, fractured and ruptured.
What is the opposite of “broken”?
The opposite of “broken” — its antonyms — is intact.
What part of speech is “broken”?
“Broken” is an adjective.
Where does the word “broken” come from?
The word “broken” comes from Old English. From Old English brocen, the past participle of the verb "to break," inherited from a common Germanic root.
Is “broken” a common word?
“Broken” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between broken and cracked?
Something cracked has a split or fracture line but usually still holds together in one piece. Something broken has gone further — it is separated into pieces, snapped, or no longer works. A cracked phone screen still functions, whereas a broken one often does not.
Does broken always mean in pieces?
No. Its most literal sense is separated into pieces, like a broken plate, but broken has wider uses. A broken machine no longer works, a broken promise has not been kept, broken English is halting and imperfect, and a broken heart describes deep emotional hurt.
Is it 'broke' or 'broken'?
'Broken' is the past participle, used with a helping verb or as an adjective — 'he has broken it', 'the vase is broken'. 'Broke' is the simple past, used alone — 'he broke it yesterday'. Saying 'it is broke' is nonstandard; the correct form is 'it is broken'.
What is the opposite of broken?
It depends on the sense. For something in pieces, the opposites are whole, intact, and unbroken. For something that has stopped working, the opposites are working, functioning, or fixed. A repaired object moves from broken back to fixed or as good as new.
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