adj
Common
shattered
SHA-tuhd
Shattered (adj) means Broken violently into many pieces. Example: “The shattered vase lay in pieces on the floor.”
adj
1
Broken violently into many pieces.
"The shattered vase lay in pieces on the floor."
"Be careful of the shattered glass by the window when you sweep up."
"The shattered windscreen showed how hard the stone had hit the car."
2
Emotionally devastated.
"She was shattered by the news of his death."
"He was left shattered when his closest friend moved away without a word."
"The shattered family tried to rebuild their lives after the fire."
3
(informal, British) Extremely tired.
"I'm absolutely shattered after that shift."
"We got home from the long journey completely shattered and went straight to bed."
"She looked shattered after a night spent looking after the baby."
How to use shattered
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBroken to pieces, emotionally crushed, or (informally in British English) exhausted.
When to use it
The "extremely tired" sense is informal and especially common in British English.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like shattered.
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 shattered
- Superlative
- most shattered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ vase lay in pieces on the floor.
Related words
Rhymes for shattered
See all rhymes for shattered →Frequently asked questions
What does “shattered” mean?
The word “shattered” means broken violently into many pieces. In plain terms, broken to pieces, emotionally crushed, or (informally in British English) exhausted.
How do you pronounce “shattered”?
“Shattered” is pronounced SHA-tuhd (/ˈʃætɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “shattered” in a sentence?
Here is “shattered” used in a sentence: “The shattered vase lay in pieces on the floor.”
What part of speech is “shattered”?
“Shattered” is an adjective.
Is “shattered” a common word?
“Shattered” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “shattered” have?
“Shattered” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: broken violently into many pieces.
What is the difference between 'shattered' meaning broken and 'shattered' meaning tired?
When describing an object, 'shattered' means broken violently into many pieces, like a shattered window. When describing a person, especially in informal British usage, 'shattered' means extremely tired, and it can also mean emotionally devastated, so context determines which sense applies.
Is 'shattered' meaning tired formal or informal?
'Shattered' meaning extremely tired is informal British usage and would not typically appear in formal writing, where words like 'exhausted' are more appropriate.
What is the difference between 'shattered' and 'broken'?
'Broken' is a general term for something no longer whole or working, while 'shattered' specifically implies violent breakage into many small pieces, suggesting a more forceful and thorough destruction.
