adjective
Uncommon
busted
BUHS-tihd
Busted (adjective) means Broken or not working. Example: “My phone screen is busted after I dropped it.”
adjective
1
Broken or not working.
"My phone screen is busted after I dropped it."
"The vending machine is busted again, so we bought snacks from the shop."
"Our washing machine has been busted for a week, and the laundry is piling up."
2
Caught doing something wrong.
"He got busted sneaking out after curfew."
"The pupils were busted for passing notes during the exam."
"Did you hear the shoplifters got busted trying to sell the stolen bikes?"
3
Broke; having no money.
"I'm busted until payday."
"I can't come out tonight because I'm totally busted after paying the rent."
"We were both busted by the end of the holiday, so we ate beans on toast."
How to use busted
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInformal past tense/adjective from "bust" — broken, caught out, or penniless depending on context.
When to use it
Informal; common in casual speech but avoided in formal writing.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like busted.
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
Word forms
- Comparative
- more busted
- Superlative
- most busted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
My phone screen is _____ after I dropped it.
Etymology
See bust (Etymology 2)
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for busted
See all rhymes for busted →Frequently asked questions
What does “busted” mean?
The word “busted” means broken or not working. In plain terms, informal past tense/adjective from "bust" — broken, caught out, or penniless depending on context.
How do you pronounce “busted”?
“Busted” is pronounced BUHS-tihd (/ˈbʌs.tɪd/ in IPA).
How do you use “busted” in a sentence?
Here is “busted” used in a sentence: “My phone screen is busted after I dropped it.”
What is another word for “busted”?
Words with a similar meaning to “busted” include out of order.
What part of speech is “busted”?
“Busted” is an adjective.
Is “busted” a common word?
“Busted” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “busted” have?
“Busted” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: broken or not working.
What is the difference between "busted" and "broken"?
"Busted" is an informal synonym for "broken" that means something is not working, but it carries a more casual, colloquial tone than the neutral word "broken." "Broken" fits formal writing, while "busted" suits everyday speech and informal contexts.
What does it mean to say someone got "busted"?
When used of a person, "busted" means caught doing something wrong, such as being caught breaking a rule or law. This sense is common in casual speech, as in "he got busted for speeding."
Is "busted" used to mean having no money?
Yes, "busted" can informally mean broke, or having no money, as in "I'm totally busted until payday." This sense overlaps with "broke" and is used in casual conversation rather than formal financial contexts.
