broke

[brohk]

verb

1. a simple past tense of break.

2. Nonstandard.,  a past participle of break.

3. Archaic.,  a past participle of break.

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.

broke

/ brəʊk /

verb

1. the past tense of break

adjective

1. informal,  having no money; bankrupt

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of broke¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

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.

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

Example Sentences

The only functioning device holding the anchor in place broke after it was hit by a big wave on January 25 at 4:11 am, it said.

Read more on Barron's

Once, a cop pulled me over when I was walking home along that very road after my car broke down to warn me that I could get hurt by the reckless drivers there.

Read more on Salon

The fire broke out Saturday and engulfed the entire building, according to nighttime images published by the firebrigade on X.

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The partial revival that followed made for some tense rallies that energised the crowd, but Vacherot broke again in the ninth game to seal the title, doubling over in disbelief.

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She was out of the country in January, taking part in a diplomatic mission to Ghana, when the ferocious Palisades fire broke out.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bankrupt 
• destitute 
• insolvent 
• penniless