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

Justice Secretary Angela Constance broke the ministerial code after making controversial comments about a grooming gangs expert in parliament, an investigation has found.

From BBC

Not everyone who went to the Capitol broke into the building, but she did.

From Salon

Talks to end the dispute broke down in July, with Unite stating there would be "no end" to strike action until there was a "fair deal" for bin workers.

From BBC

Several hours later, news broke of the U.S. operation to capture Maduro and the contracts shot up in value.

From The Wall Street Journal

Evangeline Lilly, who broke out with ‘Lost’ and recently played the Wasp in Marvel’s ‘Ant Man’ films, says she is taking an indefinite hiatus from acting.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bankrupt
• destitute
• insolvent
• penniless