broken

bro·ken

adj \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

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Rhymes with BROKEN

oaken, spoken, token