Showing results for "broke"

• past tense form of break.
• past participle of break.

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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

broke

Bis, the White House spokesperson, denied that the Trump administration broke any agreements in releasing the information.

From Salon ● Oct. 26, 2026

On Thursday, the batters broke records, only to be let down by the bowlers.

From BBC ● Oct. 25, 2026

I was here watching when we broke the Curse of the Bambino,” the 60-year-old said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 25, 2026

Clashes broke out in Paris at the end of the protest march on the eastern edge of the capital.

From Barron's ● Oct. 24, 2026

But when I write these letters to you, I feel as if I’m channelling the strength that you gave to me the day you broke your own heart to save our lives.

From "Code Name Kingfisher" by Liz Kessler

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Related Words

• bankrupt
• destitute
• insolvent
• penniless

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