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View synonyms for

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: , ,
  2. bankrupt.

    Synonyms: , ,

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

/ əʊ /

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. informalhaving no money; bankrupt

  2. slangto 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
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Word History and Origins

Origin of broke1

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

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

A peaceful protest was held on Monday, but after it dispersed rioting broke out.

From

The numbers told the story, with Anisimova committing 10 unforced errors to Maria's three in the opener, and the momentum stayed with the German as she broke at the first chance in the second set.

From

But playing together for the first time, the tournament favourites looked far from comfortable from the start as Germany broke throw in the opening leg, cheered on by a vocal home crowd.

From

Firefighters are tackling a major blaze at a multi-storey building in Perth which broke out in the early hours.

From

Negotiations between the UK and Canada on a trade agreement broke down early last year, before the British general election, after a dispute over beef and cheese.

From

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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.

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brokagebroken