heartbroken

American  

[hahrt-broh-kuhn] / ˈhɑrtˌbroʊ kən /

adjective

1. crushed with sorrow or grief.

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heartbroken British  

/ ˈhɑːtˌbrəʊkən /

adjective

1. suffering from intense grief

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Other Word Forms

• heartbrokenness
  noun
• heartbrokenly
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of heartbroken

First recorded in 1580–90; heart + broken

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Explanation

To be heartbroken is to be so sad that it feels like your heart has cracked inside your chest. You’d be heartbroken after a death, but you can also be heartbroken when you get dumped by your girlfriend or boyfriend. Waaaaaa. When someone is heartbroken, they are deeply sorrowful or distressed. Feeling heartbroken about a tragic accident or disaster is an understandable response, and being heartbroken after a romantic breakup is basically inevitable. The word heartbroken has been used since the late 1500s, and it comes from heartbreak, which is rooted in the Old English heorte, "heart" and also "spirit" or "soul."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heartbroken

"We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy," said Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook in a statement.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

“We are deeply heartbroken by the loss of our beloved Fiona,” Lowe, the Emmy-winning star of “Life Goes On,” and his family said in a Sept. 29 statement announcing Fiona’s death.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2026

"The details of this case shocked experienced officers and our thoughts continue to go out to the heartbroken family of Maria at this time."

From BBC ● Oct. 7, 2026

Criminal Minds star Kirsten Vangsness told the BBC she was "heartbroken".

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

I listened to the same heartbroken song the entire bus ride home, because it was still a summer when sadness was beautiful.

From "We Are Okay" by Nina LaCour

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Related Words

• grief-stricken
• sad

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