broke
A2-B1 (for adjective/adjective-like uses); A1 (for verb form).Informal for the adjective meaning 'penniless'. Formal for the verb form.
Definition
Meaning
Past tense and participle of 'break'; having no money; financially ruined.
Can refer to something that is damaged, fractured, or no longer functioning correctly. Informally, it can describe a person or system that is exhausted, defeated, or inoperative.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective (meaning 'penniless'), it is a predicate adjective (e.g., 'I am broke'), not an attributive one ('*a broke man' is very informal and often considered non-standard). Its meaning exists on a spectrum from temporary lack of cash to complete insolvency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The adjective 'broke' (penniless) is equally common in both. The verb form shows no significant difference. Some idioms may show regional preferences.
Connotations
Strongly informal/conversational for the financial sense. Can carry a tone of complaint, resignation, or self-deprecation.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in informal spoken contexts for the financial meaning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
SVO (He broke the window.)Copula + Adj (He is broke.)SVA (The machine broke down.)SVi (The glass broke.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go for broke”
- “if it ain't broke, don't fix it”
- “broke as a joke”
- “broke the bank”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The company went broke after the market crash.' (Informal for bankrupt)
Academic
Rare in formal writing except as the verb. 'The treaty broke the deadlock.'
Everyday
'I can't go out tonight, I'm completely broke.'
Technical
In engineering: 'The shaft broke under excessive torsion.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He broke his leg playing rugby.
- The talks broke down over the weekend.
American English
- She broke the record for most points scored.
- My phone broke just after the warranty expired.
adverb
British English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) It happened broke-up like, in pieces. (Non-standard/idiomatic)
American English
- (Rare as a standalone adverb) He played broke-down blues on an old guitar. (In compounds)
adjective
British English
- I'm stony broke until payday.
- After paying the rent, I'm completely skint—or 'broke', as you'd say.
American English
- I'd love to, but I'm totally broke right now.
- Many small businesses went broke during the pandemic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I broke a cup.
- She is broke this month.
- He broke his promise to call.
- I can't afford it because I'm broke.
- The scandal broke just before the election.
- They risked going broke to start their own business.
- The defendant's alibi was conclusively broke by the new evidence.
- The artist was perpetually broke, yet profoundly prolific.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a BROKEN piggy bank with no coins inside – you're BROKE.
Conceptual Metaphor
LACK OF MONEY IS PHYSICAL BREAKAGE / DESTRUCTION (e.g., 'flat broke', 'broke the bank').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'broken' as a pure adjective meaning damaged. 'Broke' (penniless) is only used after 'be', 'go', etc. Translating 'у меня сломался' requires 'my [thing] broke' or 'is broken', not 'I am broke'.
Common Mistakes
- *He is a broke student. (Use 'broke' after the verb: The student is broke.)
- Confusing 'broke' (past tense) with 'broken' (past participle/adjective).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'broke' as an adjective meaning 'penniless'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a standard English word. As the past tense of 'break', it is formal. As an adjective meaning 'penniless', it is informal but very common and accepted in all but the most formal writing.
It is grammatically possible but considered very informal or non-standard. The standard pattern is to use it predicatively: 'The man is broke.' The attributive form ('a broke man') is common in casual speech but often avoided in writing.
'Broke' is the simple past tense of the verb 'break'. 'Broken' is the past participle, used to form perfect tenses (have broken) and the passive voice (was broken). 'Broken' is also the standard adjective for something that is damaged. 'Broke' as an adjective only means 'penniless'.
It is common in both varieties, though 'stony broke' is a more British variant. 'Flat broke' is perfectly understood and used in American English.