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adjective bro·ken \ˈbrō-kən\

: separated into parts or pieces by being hit, damaged, etc.

: not working properly

: not kept or honored

Full Definition of BROKEN

1

:  violently separated into parts :  shattered

2

:  damaged or altered by breaking: as

a :  having undergone or been subjected to fracture <a broken leg>

b of land surfaces :  being irregular, interrupted, or full of obstacles

c :  violated by transgression <a broken promise>

d :  discontinuous, interrupted

e :  disrupted by change

f of a tulip flower :  having an irregular, streaked, or blotched pattern especially from virus infection

3

a :  made weak or infirm

b :  subdued completely :  crushed, sorrowful <a broken heart> <a broken spirit>

c :  bankrupt

d :  reduced in rank

4

a :  cut off :  disconnected

b :  imperfectly spoken or written <broken English>

5

:  not complete or full <a broken bale of hay>

6

:  disunited by divorce, separation, or desertion of one parent <children from broken homes> <a broken family>

— bro·ken·ly adverb

— bro·ken·ness \-kə(n)-nəs\ noun

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Examples of BROKEN

1. The street was covered with broken glass.
2. <a broken vase that could not be repaired>

Origin of BROKEN

Middle English, from Old English brocen, from past participle of brecan to break

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to BROKEN

Synonyms

busted, fractured, fragmented, shattered, smashed

Antonyms

unbroken

Related Words

blasted, detonated, exploded; cracked, slivered, splintered, split; collapsed, imploded; demolished, destroyed, devastated, pulverized, ruinate, ruined, wrecked; damaged, defaced, disintegrated, dynamited, mangled, mutilated; eradicated, exterminated, extirpated, obliterated, wiped out; breakable, brittle, delicate, fragile, frail, frangible

Near Antonyms

fixed, healed, mended, patched, rebuilt, reconstructed, repaired; infrangible, unbreakable

Rhymes with BROKEN

oaken, spoken, token

broken

adjective bro·ken \ˈbrō-kən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BROKEN

:  having undergone or been subjected to fracture <a broken leg>