Broke Definition & Meaning

American

British

More Idioms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms 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.

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

1. informal having no money; bankrupt

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012 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.

Etymology

Origin of broke

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The pier was widely viewed as a failure: It repeatedly broke apart due to bad weather, was operational for only 20 days and cost $230 million.

From The Wall Street Journal

Teacher Doris Farah, 55, broke down describing her anxiety and sadness since the new war erupted.

From Barron's

A Canadian news organization, PressProgress.ca, broke the story of the Alberta legislator’s letter to the RCMP.

From Salon

Today I am broke, in debt and dealing with health issues.

From MarketWatch

The movie that broke the all-time record for nominations came out nearly a year ago, while the favorite to win best picture hit theaters in September.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bankrupt
• destitute
• insolvent
• penniless

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.