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broken
[broh-kuhn]
adjective
reduced to fragments; fragmented.
ruptured; torn; fractured.
not functioning properly; out of working order.
Meteorology., (of sky cover) being more than half, but not totally, covered by clouds.
changing direction abruptly.
The fox ran in a broken line.
fragmentary or incomplete.
a broken ton of coal weighing 1,500 pounds.
infringed or violated.
A broken promise is a betrayal of trust.
interrupted, disrupted, or disconnected.
After the phone call he returned to his broken sleep.
weakened in strength, spirit, etc..
His broken health was due to alcoholism.
tamed, trained, or reduced to submission.
The horse was broken to the saddle.
imperfectly spoken, as language.
She still speaks broken English.
spoken in a halting or fragmentary manner, as under emotional strain.
He uttered a few broken words of sorrow.
(of a relationship) split apart; not intact.
a broken marriage.
(of a family) disunited or divided by the prolonged or permanent absence of a parent, usually due to divorce or desertion: broken families.
a child from a broken home;
broken families.
not smooth; rough or irregular.
We left the plains and rode through broken country.
ruined; bankrupt.
the broken fortunes of his family.
Papermaking, Printing., a quantity of paper of less than 500 or 1000 sheets.
broken
/ ˈbrəʊkən /
verb
the past participle of break
adjective
fractured, smashed, or splintered
a broken vase
imperfect or incomplete; fragmentary
a broken set of books
interrupted; disturbed; disconnected
broken sleep
intermittent or discontinuous
broken sunshine
varying in direction or intensity, as of pitch
a broken note
a broken run
not functioning
a broken radio
spoilt or ruined by divorce (esp in the phrases broken home , broken marriage )
(of a trust, promise, contract, etc) violated; infringed
overcome with grief or disappointment
a broken heart
(of the speech of a foreigner) imperfect in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation
broken English
Also: broken-in. made tame or disciplined by training
a broken horse
a broken recruit
exhausted or weakened as through ill-health or misfortune
confused or disorganized
broken ranks of soldiers
breached or opened
broken defensive lines
irregular or rough; uneven
broken ground
bankrupt or out of money
a broken industry
(of colour) having a multicoloured decorative effect, as by stippling paint onto a surface
informal, drunk
Other Word Forms
- brokenly adverb
- brokenness noun
- half-broken adjective
- well-broken adjective
Word History and Origins
Origin of broken1
Example Sentences
As many trees are still in full leaf, they are more likely to be toppled with branches broken off than during the winter when the wind can whistle through them unimpeded.
An attending physician was quoted as saying Dean died instantly at about 5:30 p.m. from a broken neck, numerous broken bones and severe lacerations over the entire body.
Picking up on a favourite Farage theme, he said: "I just do not accept that Britain is broken," as he highlighted investments in high tech industries and the actions of community volunteers.
What if being yourself is no good, if you’re broken inside?
The American was broken twice and trailed 4-1 but did offer some resistance in the closing stages, chalking one of those off, but didn't have enough to stop the six-time Grand Slam champion.
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Related Words
- busted
- collapsed www.thesaurus.com
- cracked
- crumbled www.thesaurus.com
- crushed www.thesaurus.com
- damaged www.thesaurus.com
- defective
- demolished www.thesaurus.com
- destroyed www.thesaurus.com
- fractured www.thesaurus.com
- fragmented
- injured www.thesaurus.com
- mangled www.thesaurus.com
- mutilated www.thesaurus.com
- ruptured www.thesaurus.com
- severed
- shattered
- smashed
- splintered www.thesaurus.com
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