broke

American  

[brohk] / broʊk /

verb

1. a simple past tense of break.

2. Nonstandard. a past participle of break.

3. Archaic. a past participle of break.

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adjective

1. without money; penniless.

   Synonyms:

   impoverished, destitute, insolvent

2. bankrupt.

   Synonyms:

   impoverished, destitute, insolvent

noun

1. Papermaking. paper unfit for sale; paper that is to be repulped.

2. brokes, wool of poor quality taken from the neck and belly of sheep.

idioms

1. go broke,

   1. to become destitute of money or possessions.

   2. to go bankrupt.

      In that business people are forever going broke.

2. go for broke, to exert oneself or employ one's resources to the utmost.

broke British  

/ brəʊk /

verb

1. the past tense of break

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adjective

1. informal having no money; bankrupt

2. slang to risk everything in a gambling or other venture

broke More Idioms  

1. see flat broke; go broke; go for (broke); if it ain't broke don't fix it. Also see under break.

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Etymology

Origin of broke

First recorded in 1655–65 for the adjective; 1875–80 for the noun

Example Sentences

The outcome could have been very different after a fire broke out Tuesday at a well-known Hollywood venue, but the site emerged relatively unscathed, the owner said, chalking it up to “true Magic Castle magic!”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

“Could some of them quibble that they missed more of yesterday’s rally than they would have liked? Sure, but no one ever went broke by taking a profit,” he said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 9, 2026

“But once we proved that our whole was exponentially stronger than the parts, the stock broke out, and I believe that is going to be the case here.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

"Finally I broke down and said I needed help."

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

“What does it matter?” a voice broke into it.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• bankrupt
• destitute
• insolvent
• penniless