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: 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.

broke

/ brəʊk /

verb

1. the past tense of break

adjective

1. informal.
   having no money; bankrupt
2. go for broke slang.
   to risk everything in a gambling or other venture

Word History and Origins

Origin of broke¹

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

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.

More idioms and phrases containing broke

see flat broke ; go broke ; go for (broke) ; if it ain't broke don't fix it . Also see under break .

Example Sentences

Mrs MacKinnon broke down in tears before continuing her evidence.

From BBC

After nearly a decade of this, though, anyone who has bet good money on elected Republicans standing up to Trump has already gone broke.

From Salon

While the Southern Poverty Law Center publicly branded the takeover attempt as racist, news broke that a wealthy California investor, David Gelbaum, had pledged $100 million on the condition that the club never stand against immigration.

From Salon

Many Democrats now say their party went too far left and are declaring that “woke is broke.”

From Salon

In her election night speech, she described her friendship with Roochnik as “two broke girls.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bankrupt
• destitute
• insolvent
• penniless