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

Cervantes said she was troubled by this request given that she broke no traffic laws and was the victim of a dangerous driver.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

This latest action – the 15th strike – comes after talks broke down at the end of March.

From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026

"We broke the distance record for Apollo 13, the furthest that humans have ever traveled from our home planet. And the moment was special," Gibbons said.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Venture Global was facing a set of challenges when the Iran war broke out.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Wolf broke into a big wolf smile, wagging his hindquarters and nibble-greeting Torak rapturously under the chin.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

Related Words

• bankrupt
• destitute
• insolvent
• penniless