broken
broken
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "broken" is ˈbroʊkən.
bro-: /broʊ/
/b/: voiced bilabial stop
/r/: voiced alveolar approximant
/oʊ/: diphthong (as in "boat")
-ken: /kən/
/k/: voiceless velar stop
/ə/: schwa (unstressed vowel sound)
/n/: voiced alveolar nasal
Word Form Variations
Broken" is primarily an adjective and the past participle of the verb "break." Therefore, its variations relate to the verb "break."
Verb (break):
Base form: break
Past simple: broke
Past participle: broken
Present participle: breaking
Third-person singular present: breaks
Noun:
(The word "broken" itself can function as a noun in specific contexts, referring to "broken things" or "broken people," often in a collective sense. For example, "the broken were left behind.")
There isn't a direct plural form of "broken" as a noun in the same way as "cat" to "cats." When used as a noun, it's often collective or refers to the state.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Having been fractured, shattered, or separated into pieces; no longer whole or in one piece.
Synonyms: shattered, fractured, fragmented, damaged, ruined, busted (informal), defective
Antonyms: whole, complete, intact, mended, repaired, unbroken
Definition 2: Not functioning correctly or at all; out of order or disrepair.
Synonyms: malfunctioning, defective, inoperative, out of order, kaput (informal), faulty, non-functional
Antonyms: working, functional, operational, repaired, fixed
Definition 3: (Of a promise, agreement, or trust) Violated or breached; not honored or kept.
Synonyms: violated, breached, dishonored, unfulfilled, betrayed, unkept
Antonyms: kept, honored, fulfilled, upheld, observed
Definition 4: (Of a spirit or person) Overcome by despair, grief, or hardship; deeply disheartened or crushed.
Synonyms: crushed, shattered, devastated, disheartened, despairing, despondent, grief-stricken
Antonyms: resilient, strong, hopeful, unbroken, optimistic
Definition 5: (Of a language or communication) Imperfectly or incorrectly spoken, often due to a lack of fluency or understanding.
Synonyms: fragmented, disjointed, halting, ungrammatical, poor, imperfect
Antonyms: fluent, coherent, articulate, perfect, clear
Verb (Past Participle of "Break")
Definition 1: To have been caused to separate into two or more pieces as a result of impact, stress, or other force.
Synonyms: fractured, shattered, splintered, ruptured, cracked, burst
Antonyms: mended, repaired, joined, connected
Definition 2: To have been rendered inoperative or useless.
Synonyms: destroyed, ruined, disabled, incapacitated, wrecked
Antonyms: fixed, repaired, restored, enabled
Definition 3: To have been violated or transgressed (e.g., a law, promise, or custom).
Synonyms: violated, breached, infringed, disobeyed, defied
Antonyms: observed, obeyed, respected, upheld
Definition 4: To have become weak, subdued, or overwhelmed, especially in spirit or health.
Synonyms: succumbed, yielded, collapsed, faltered, caved in
Antonyms: resisted, endured, persevered, strengthened
Noun (less common usage, often implies "broken things/people")
Definition 1: The state of being damaged, non-functional, or incomplete; often used collectively to refer to things or people in such a state.
Synonyms: fragments, pieces, wreckage, ruins, debris; the injured, the disadvantaged
Antonyms: wholeness, integrity, entirety; the healthy, the complete
Examples of Use
Books:
"All of a sudden, her voice sounded small and broken, like a doll's voice when its batteries are running out." (Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale, 1985) - Here, "broken" describes a voice, evoking a sense of fragility and nearing failure.
"He had a broken heart, but he wore it like a shield." (Cassandra Clare, City of Bones, 2007) - This common idiom uses "broken" metaphorically to describe emotional pain and distress.
Newspapers:
"The city's infrastructure, from its aging water pipes to its pothole-ridden roads, is fundamentally broken, requiring urgent and massive investment." (The New York Times, "America's Infrastructure Crisis,") - "Broken" here refers to a system or infrastructure that is no longer functioning effectively.
"Police are investigating after a valuable antique vase was found broken during a museum heist." (The Guardian, "Museum Heist Leaves Priceless Artifacts Damaged,") - This is a very literal use of "broken" to describe a physical object shattered into pieces.
Online Publications:
"Why is the healthcare system so broken? Experts weigh in on systemic issues." (Vox.com, "The State of U.S. Healthcare,") - Similar to the newspaper example, "broken" describes a complex system that is failing or performing poorly.
"Our trust in political leaders feels broken after years of unfulfilled promises." (Medium.com, "Rebuilding Trust in Politics,") - "Broken" is used to describe a state of shattered trust or faith.
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the 2006 film Little Miss Sunshine, the character Dwayne Hoover has a moment where his dreams are broken, leading to a significant emotional breakdown. (Dialog: "I can't fly... I can't be a pilot! My eyes are broken!") - Here, "broken" refers to a physical limitation that shatters a long-held ambition.
Television Series: "She's a detective with a broken past, haunted by the cases she couldn't solve." (True Detective, Season 1, 2014) - "Broken past" suggests a history filled with trauma, mistakes, or difficult experiences.
Song Lyrics: "I'm on a road to nowhere, but at least I'm not broken anymore." (From the song "Scars" by James Bay, 2015) - "Broken" here refers to a state of emotional or psychological distress from which the speaker has recovered.
Video Games: In many role-playing games (RPGs), an item might be described as "broken armor" or a "broken sword," indicating it has lost its effectiveness or durability. (e.g., The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, 2011) - This is a literal description of damaged equipment.
Podcasts: "Today, we're discussing how to fix a broken economy and create opportunities for all." (NPR's Planet Money, "Fixing a Broken Economy,") - "Broken" describes an economic system that is not functioning optimally or equitably.
General Public Discourse:
"My phone screen is completely broken after I dropped it." (Everyday conversation) - A common, literal use referring to a physically damaged object.
"The communication between departments is so broken; no one knows what anyone else is doing." (Workplace discussion) - "Broken" describes a lack of effective communication or coordination within a system.
"After that terrible accident, she was left with a broken leg and a lot of emotional scars." (Conversational report of an event) - Refers to a physical injury.
"I feel completely broken after staying up all night studying for that exam." (Student complaining to a friend) - Used metaphorically to describe extreme exhaustion or a feeling of being overwhelmed.
10 Famous Quotes Using Broken
"The cure for a broken heart is simple, my dear, just as simple as breaking it was. It is a cure that works every time: Time." (F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Last Tycoon, 1941)
"What does not kill me makes me stronger." (Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols, 1889, often rephrased as "That which does not kill us makes us stronger," implying recovery from being "broken")
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places." (Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms, 1929)
"A man can be destroyed but not defeated." (Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea, 1952, implying that even when physically "broken," the spirit remains)
"I have been broken many times, but the only time I ever truly despaired was when I thought I was beyond repair." (J.K. Rowling, attributed)
"We are all a little broken, but the last time I checked, broken crayons still color." (Unknown, widely attributed and popular on social media)
"You were born to be real, not to be perfect. You are here to be you, not to live someone else's life. You are broken, but you are beautiful." (Unknown, widely attributed and popular on social media)
"My heart is, and always will be, yours." (Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, 1811, a sentiment often expressed despite or because of a previously "broken" heart)
"There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor." (Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, 1843, often contrasted with a "broken" spirit)
"The broken always go to the brave." (Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games, 2008)
Etymology
The word "broken" has a long and interesting history, tracing its roots all the way back to some of the earliest forms of the English language.
Essentially, "broken" is the past participle of the verb "to break." So, to understand "broken," we first need to look at "break."
The word "break" comes from the Old English word "brecan." This Old English word already had a very similar meaning to our modern "break": it meant "to divide solid matter violently into parts or fragments." Think of it as shattering something or splitting it apart by force.
So, when we talk about the first known use and meaning of "broken," it goes back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD). At that time, "brocen" (or "ġebrocen") was the past participle of "brecan," and it literally meant "having been broken" or "separated into parts."
Over time, as the English language evolved from Old English to Middle English and then to Modern English, the word "broken" kept its core meaning of something being in pieces or no longer whole. However, it also developed many additional meanings, like being "out of order" (a broken machine), "violated" (a broken promise), or even "emotionally crushed" (a broken heart). These broader, more figurative uses show how a word's meaning can expand over centuries from a very literal origin.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Broken
Broken heart: Deep emotional sorrow or grief, especially due to lost love.
Broken home: A family unit disrupted by divorce or separation.
Broken promise: A commitment or vow that has not been kept.
Broken English: Imperfectly or incorrectly spoken English.
Broken record: Someone or something that repeats itself endlessly.
Broken down: (1) Not working due to a fault; (2) Emotionally or physically collapsed.
Broken spirit: A feeling of being defeated or without hope.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it: A saying meaning that if something is working adequately, there's no need to change it.
Broken sleep: Interrupted or restless sleep.
Broken trust: The loss of confidence in someone or something.
All hell broke loose: A sudden, chaotic, and noisy situation occurred.
Break the bank: To spend all of one's money or too much money.
Break the ice: To start a conversation or interaction, especially in a tense situation.
Shattered dreams: Hopes or aspirations that have been destroyed. (using a synonym for "broken")
A fractured relationship: A relationship that is damaged or strained. (using a synonym for "broken")
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of broken from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
