broke
Americanverb
adjective
-
without money; penniless.
- Synonyms:
- impoverished, destitute, insolvent
-
- Synonyms:
- impoverished, destitute, insolvent
noun
-
Papermaking. paper unfit for sale; paper that is to be repulped.
-
brokes, wool of poor quality taken from the neck and belly of sheep.
idioms
-
go broke,
-
to become destitute of money or possessions.
-
to go bankrupt.
In that business people are forever going broke.
-
-
go for broke, to exert oneself or employ one's resources to the utmost.
verb
adjective
-
informal having no money; bankrupt
-
slang to risk everything in a gambling or other venture
Etymology
Origin of broke
First recorded in 1655–65 for the adjective; 1875–80 for the noun
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Negotiations between the neighboring countries broke down Friday night and Ottawa said it would impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 24, 2026
A French visitor to California has died after his vehicle broke down on a remote road in scorching Death Valley heat.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026
He then broke a record held by Eden Hazard after making 50 Ligue 1 appearances for Lille at the age of just 18.
From BBC ● Aug. 23, 2026
In 1991, NPR’s Nina Totenberg broke the story of Anita Hill’s allegations of sexual harassment against Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, drawing the ire of the right.
From Salon ● Aug. 23, 2026
My chest squeezed as a huge sob broke out.
From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
