adj
Uncommon
wrecked
REHKT
Wrecked (adj) means Destroyed or badly damaged, especially in an accident. Example: “The wrecked car was towed off the motorway.”
adj
1
Destroyed or badly damaged, especially in an accident.
"The wrecked car was towed off the motorway."
"Divers explored the wrecked ship lying on the seabed."
"The wrecked bus was left at the side of the road after the crash."
2
Informal: extremely drunk or high on drugs.
"He was completely wrecked by the end of the party."
"After the wedding reception, half the guests were wrecked and needed taxis home."
"I got completely wrecked at the party and had a terrible headache next morning."
How to use wrecked
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRuined or destroyed — or, in slang, extremely drunk.
When to use it
The "very drunk" meaning is informal slang; use "damaged" or "destroyed" in formal writing.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more wrecked
- Superlative
- most wrecked
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ car was towed off the motorway.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for wrecked
See all rhymes for wrecked →Frequently asked questions
What does “wrecked” mean?
The word “wrecked” means destroyed or badly damaged, especially in an accident. In plain terms, ruined or destroyed — or, in slang, extremely drunk.
How do you pronounce “wrecked”?
“Wrecked” is pronounced REHKT (/ˈɹɛkt/ in IPA).
How do you use “wrecked” in a sentence?
Here is “wrecked” used in a sentence: “The wrecked car was towed off the motorway.”
What part of speech is “wrecked”?
“Wrecked” is an adjective.
Is “wrecked” a common word?
“Wrecked” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wrecked” have?
“Wrecked” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: destroyed or badly damaged, especially in an accident.
What is the difference between "wrecked" and "damaged"?
"Wrecked" implies severe destruction, often leaving something unusable or beyond repair, while "damaged" can describe any degree of harm, from minor to severe. A damaged car might still run, but a wrecked car typically cannot.
What does "wrecked" mean when used informally about a person?
Informally, "wrecked" can describe someone who is extremely drunk or high on drugs, as opposed to its literal sense of physical destruction. This usage is casual slang rather than formal or clinical language.
Is "wrecked" the same as "totaled" when describing a car?
"Wrecked" and "totaled" both describe a car that has suffered serious damage, but "totaled" is a more specific term used when the cost of repairs exceeds the vehicle's value, effectively writing it off. "Wrecked" is a more general description of severe damage from an accident.
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