There are 40 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word broken, three of which are labelled obsolete. See β€˜Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Jan 14, 2026Β Β· broken (comparative more broken, superlative most broken) A broken mug. Fragmented; in separate pieces.

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    You can use broken to describe a marriage that has ended in divorce, or a home in which the parents of the family are divorced, when you think this is a sad or bad thing.

    BROKEN definition: 1. past participle of break 2. damaged, no longer able to work: 3. suffering emotional pain that…. Learn more.

    Definition of broken adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

    Jul 7, 2025Β Β· Unpack the word "broken" in Self Exploration Academy's glossary. Discover its etymology, definitions (adjective, verb), IPA, real-world examples, and common idioms.

    [before a noun] (of language) imperfectly spoken: couldn't understand his broken English. spoken in a halting or hesitant manner, as under emotional strain: In a broken voice he begged for forgiveness.

  1. fractured, smashed, or splintered: a broken vase. 2. imperfect or incomplete; fragmentary: a broken set of books.
  2. Jul 7, 2025Β Β· Unpack the word "broken" in Self Exploration Academy's glossary. Discover its etymology, definitions (adjective, verb), IPA, real-world examples, and common idioms.

    [before a noun] (of language) imperfectly spoken: couldn't understand his broken English. spoken in a halting or hesitant manner, as under emotional strain: In a broken voice he begged for forgiveness.

  3. fractured, smashed, or splintered: a broken vase. 2. imperfect or incomplete; fragmentary: a broken set of books.
  4. The meaning of BROKEN is violently separated into parts : shattered. How to use broken in a sentence.

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