broken
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bro·ken
(brō′kən)v.
Past participle of break.
adj.
1. Forcibly separated into two or more pieces; fractured: a broken arm; broken glass.
2. Sundered by divorce, separation, or desertion of a parent or parents: children from broken homes; a broken marriage.
3. Having been violated: a broken promise.
4.
a. Incomplete: a broken set of books.
b. Being in a state of disarray; disordered: troops fleeing in broken ranks.
5.
a. Intermittently stopping and starting; discontinuous: a broken cable transmission.
b. Varying abruptly, as in pitch: broken sobs.
c. Spoken with gaps and errors: broken English.
6. Topographically rough; uneven: broken terrain.
7.
a. Subdued totally; humbled: a broken spirit.
b. Weakened and infirm: broken health.
8. Crushed by grief: died of a broken heart.
9. Financially ruined; bankrupt.
10. Not functioning; out of order: a broken washing machine.
bro′ken·ly adv.
bro′ken·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
broken
(ˈbrəʊkən)vb
the past participle of break
adj
1. fractured, smashed, or splintered: a broken vase.
2. imperfect or incomplete; fragmentary: a broken set of books.
3. interrupted; disturbed; disconnected: broken sleep.
4. intermittent or discontinuous: broken sunshine.
5. (Music, other) varying in direction or intensity, as of pitch: a broken note; a broken run.
6. not functioning: a broken radio.
7. spoilt or ruined by divorce (esp in the phrases broken home, broken marriage)
8. (of a trust, promise, contract, etc) violated; infringed
9. overcome with grief or disappointment: a broken heart.
10. (Grammar) (of the speech of a foreigner) imperfect in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation: broken English.
11. Also: broken-in made tame or disciplined by training: a broken horse; a broken recruit.
12. exhausted or weakened as through ill-health or misfortune
13. confused or disorganized: broken ranks of soldiers.
14. breached or opened: broken defensive lines.
15. irregular or rough; uneven: broken ground.
16. bankrupt or out of money: a broken industry.
17. (Colours) (of colour) having a multicoloured decorative effect, as by stippling paint onto a surface
18. informal South African drunk
ˈbrokenly adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
bro•ken
(ˈbroʊ kən)v.
1. pp. of break.
adj. 2. reduced to fragments; fragmented.
3. ruptured; torn; fractured.
4. not functioning properly; out of working order.
5. infringed or violated: a broken promise.
6. interrupted, disrupted, or disconnected: a broken line.
7. changing direction abruptly.
8. fragmentary or incomplete.
9. weakened in strength, spirit, etc.: broken health.
10. tamed, trained, or reduced to submission: broken to the saddle.
11. (of language) imperfectly spoken: broken English.
12. spoken in a halting manner, as under emotional strain.
13. disunited or divided; disrupted, as by divorce: broken families.
14. not smooth; rough or irregular: broken ground.
15. overwhelmed with sorrow or disappointment: a broken heart.
16. ruined; bankrupt: broken fortunes.
bro′ken•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
broken
Broken is the past participle of the verb break.
He has broken a window with a ball.
Broken is also an adjective. A broken object has split into pieces or has cracked, for example because it has been hit or dropped.
He sweeps away the broken glass under the window.
...a long table covered in broken crockery.
He glanced at the broken lock he was still holding in his free hand.
If a machine or device is not functioning because there is something wrong with it, you do not usually say that it 'is broken'. You say that it does not work or is not working.
One of the lamps didn't work.
Chris sits beside him with sweaters on because the heater doesn't work.
The traffic lights weren't working properly.
Collins COBUILD English Usage © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 2004, 2011, 2012
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Adj. | 1. | broken - physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split; "a broken mirror"; "a broken tooth"; "a broken leg"; "his neck is broken" damaged - harmed or injured or spoiled; "I won't buy damaged goods"; "the storm left a wake of badly damaged buildings" injured - harmed; "injured soldiers"; "injured feelings" imperfect - not perfect; defective or inadequate; "had only an imperfect understanding of his responsibilities"; "imperfect mortals"; "drainage here is imperfect" unsound - not sound financially; "unsound banking practices" unbroken - not broken; whole and intact; in one piece; "fortunately the other lens is unbroken" |
2. | broken - not continuous in space, time, or sequence or varying abruptly; "broken lines of defense"; "a broken cable transmission"; "broken sleep"; "tear off the stub above the broken line"; "a broken note"; "broken sobs" noncontinuous, discontinuous - not continuing without interruption in time or space; "discontinuous applause"; "the landscape was a discontinuous mosaic of fields and forest areas"; "he received a somewhat haphazard and discontinuous schooling" unbroken - marked by continuous or uninterrupted extension in space or time or sequence; "cars in an unbroken procession"; "the unbroken quiet of the afternoon" | |
3. | broken - subdued or brought low in condition or status; "brought low"; "a broken man"; "his broken spirit" humble - marked by meekness or modesty; not arrogant or prideful; "a humble apology"; "essentially humble...and self-effacing, he achieved the highest formal honors and distinctions"- B.K.Malinowski | |
4. | ![]() contract - a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law | |
5. | broken - tamed or trained to obey; "a horse broken to the saddle"; "this old nag is well broken in" | |
6. | broken - topographically very uneven; "broken terrain"; "rugged ground" | |
7. | broken - imperfectly spoken or written; "broken English" imperfect - not perfect; defective or inadequate; "had only an imperfect understanding of his responsibilities"; "imperfect mortals"; "drainage here is imperfect" | |
8. | ![]() disorganised, disorganized - lacking order or methodical arrangement or function; "a disorganized enterprise"; "a thousand pages of muddy and disorganized prose"; "she was too disorganized to be an agreeable roommate" | |
9. | broken - weakened and infirm; "broken health resulting from alcoholism" impaired - diminished in strength, quality, or utility; "impaired eyesight" | |
10. | broken - destroyed financially; "the broken fortunes of the family" destroyed - spoiled or ruined or demolished; "war left many cities destroyed"; "Alzheimer's is responsible for her destroyed mind" | |
11. | broken - out of working order (`busted' is an informal substitute for `broken'); "a broken washing machine"; "the coke machine is broken"; "the coke machine is busted" colloquialism - a colloquial expression; characteristic of spoken or written communication that seeks to imitate informal speech damaged - harmed or injured or spoiled; "I won't buy damaged goods"; "the storm left a wake of badly damaged buildings" | |
12. | broken - discontinuous; "broken clouds"; "broken sunshine" meteorology - the earth science dealing with phenomena of the atmosphere (especially weather) distributed - spread out or scattered about or divided up | |
13. | broken - lacking a part or parts; "a broken set of encyclopedia" incomplete, uncomplete - not complete or total; not completed; "an incomplete account of his life"; "political consequences of incomplete military success"; "an incomplete forward pass" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
broken
adjective
1. interrupted, disturbed, incomplete, erratic, disconnected, intermittent, fragmentary, spasmodic, discontinuous nights of broken sleep
2. failed, ruined, wrecked, unsuccessful, abortive, ending in divorce the traumas of a broken marriage
3. imperfect, halting, hesitating, stammering, disjointed Eric could only respond in broken English.
4. smashed, destroyed, burst, shattered, fragmented, fractured, demolished, severed, ruptured, rent, separated, shivered Damp air came through the broken window.
5. defective, not working, ruined, imperfect, out of order, not functioning, on the blink (slang), on its last legs, kaput (informal) a broken guitar and a rusty snare drum
6. violated, forgotten, ignored, disregarded, not kept, infringed, retracted, disobeyed, dishonoured, transgressed, traduced History is made up of broken promises.
7. defeated, beaten, crushed, humbled, crippled, tamed, subdued, oppressed, overpowered, vanquished, demoralized, browbeaten He looked a broken man.
8. fractured, cracked, splintered He escaped with a broken leg.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
مَكْسوروَعِر، ، غَيْر مُسْتَوٍمُتَقَطِّعمُكَسَّر، غَيْر سَليممُكَسَّر، لوالِدَيْن مُنْفَصِلَيْن
rozbitýčlenitýhrbolatýlámanýnarušený
gebrokkeni stykkerknækketknustujævn
rikkinäinensurkeaalennettuhajallakatkennut
slomljen
felbomlottmegszakítotttörötttört
bjagaîurbrotinneyîilagîur, skilnaîar-, vandræîa-óslétturrofinn, slitinn
壊れた
부서진
darkytasnelyguspertrauktassudužęssuiręs
iedragātsizputējisizputinātslauzītsnelīdzens
lámanýnarušenýprerušený
pokvarjenrazbitzlomljen
trasig
เส้นประ
bị vỡ
broken
[ˈbrəʊkən]A. PP of break
B. ADJ
1. [object] → roto, quebrado (LAm); [bone] → roto, fracturado; [skin] → cortado
"do not use on broken skin" → "no aplicar si hay cortes o heridas en la piel"
he sounds like a broken record → parece un disco rallado
"do not use on broken skin" → "no aplicar si hay cortes o heridas en la piel"
he sounds like a broken record → parece un disco rallado
2. (= not working) [machine] → estropeado, averiado
3. (= uneven) [road surface] → accidentado
4. (= ruined) [health, spirit] → quebrantado; [heart] → roto, destrozado
to die of a broken heart → morir de pena
broken in health → deshecho, muy decaído
a broken man → un hombre deshecho
a broken reed (fig) → una persona quemada
to die of a broken heart → morir de pena
broken in health → deshecho, muy decaído
a broken man → un hombre deshecho
a broken reed (fig) → una persona quemada
5. (= interrupted) [line] → quebrado; [voice] → entrecortado; [sleep] → interrumpido; [cloud] → fragmentario
he speaks broken English → chapurrea el inglés
she had a broken night → durmió mal, despertándose a cada momento
he speaks broken English → chapurrea el inglés
she had a broken night → durmió mal, despertándose a cada momento
7. [promise] → roto, quebrantado
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
broken
[ˈbrəʊkən] pp of break
adj
[arm, leg] → cassé(e); [machine, toy] → cassé(e)
a broken leg → une jambe cassée
to have a broken arm → avoir le bras cassé
He's got a broken arm → Il a le bras cassé.
It's broken → C'est cassé.
a broken leg → une jambe cassée
to have a broken arm → avoir le bras cassé
He's got a broken arm → Il a le bras cassé.
It's broken → C'est cassé.
[promise, vow] → rompu(e)
(= halting) [language] → hésitant(e)
in broken French → dans un français hésitant
to speak broken French → parler un français hésitant
in broken French → dans un français hésitant
to speak broken French → parler un français hésitant
(= with gaps) [line] → discontinu(e)broken-down [ˌbrəʊkənˈdaʊn] adj
[person] → usé(e)
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
broken
ptp of breakadj
→ kaputt (inf); twig → geknickt; bone → gebrochen; rope also → gerissen; (= smashed) cup, glass etc → zerbrochen, kaputt
(fig) voice → brüchig; chord → gebrochen; heart, spirit, man → gebrochen; health, marriage → zerrüttet; surely his voice has broken by now → er muss den Stimmbruch schon hinter sich (dat) → haben; from a broken home → aus zerrütteten Familienverhältnissen
road, surface, ground → uneben; coastline → zerklüftet; water, sea → aufgewühlt, bewegt; set → unvollständig
English, German etc → gebrochen
broken
:broken-down
adj machine, car, furniture → kaputt (inf); building → heruntergekommen
brokenhearted
adj → untröstlich
broken white
n → gebrochenes Weiß
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
broken
[ˈbrəʊk/ən]1. pp of break
2. adj
a. (gen) → rotto/a; (stick) → spezzato/a (fig) (marriage) → fallito/a; (promise, vow) → infranto/a, non rispettato/a; (appointment) → mancato/a; (health) → rovinato/a; (spirit) → a pezzi; (heart) → infranto/a
he comes from a broken home → i suoi sono divisi
he's a broken old man → è un vecchio finito
he comes from a broken home → i suoi sono divisi
he's a broken old man → è un vecchio finito
b. (uneven, surface, coastline) → irregolare; (ground) → accidentato/a; (interrupted, line) → spezzato/a; (sleep) → agitato/a
to have a broken night → non riuscire dormire una notte di filato
he speaks broken English → parla un inglese stentato
to have a broken night → non riuscire dormire una notte di filato
he speaks broken English → parla un inglese stentato
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
broken
(ˈbrəukən) adjective1. see break . a broken window; My watch is broken.
2. interrupted. broken sleep.
3. uneven. broken ground.
4. (of language) not fluent. He speaks broken English.
5. ruined. The children come from a broken home (= their parents are no longer living together).
ˌbroken-ˈhearted adjective overcome by grief.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
broken
→ مَكْسور rozbitý knækket zerbrochen σπασμένος discontinuo, roto rikkinäinen cassé slomljen interrotto 壊れた 부서진 gebroken ødelagt połamany quebrado прерывистый trasig เส้นประ kırık bị vỡ 不连贯的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
broken
a. pp. de to break, [bone] fracturado-a, quebrado-a
broken arm → brazo fracturado, quebrado;
[home, person] broken home → hogar deshecho, destrozado;
broken hearted → descorazonado.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
- The meter is broken
- The parking meter is broken
- My car has broken down
- The exhaust is broken
- The transmission is broken (US)
The gearbox is broken (UK) - The windshield is broken (US)
The windscreen is broken (UK) - This is broken
- The lock is broken
- My car has been broken into
- I've broken the window
- I've broken a tooth
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
broken
(pp de break) adj quebrado, rotoEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.