broken

bro·ken

adjective \ˈbrō-kən\

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

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

bro·ken

adjective \ˈbrō-kən\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of BROKEN

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