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

---

adjective

1. informal having no money; bankrupt

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

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

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the killings a "brazen crime" that broke the "most basic rules" of international law by targeting reporters, "who are ultimately civilians performing a professional duty".

From BBC • Apr. 23, 2026

Toward the end of the shutdown, Joshua broke down in the office of one of his supervisors and requested sick leave, Davy said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

Rene Nezhoda, another “Storage Wars” cast member who was often considered Sheets’ rival due to their onscreen antics, posted on Instagram after news of Sheets’ death broke and called out cyberbullies.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026

Before Allen and Harbour broke up, the couple had been living in the Brooklyn townhouse with the singer’s children, whom she shares with her former spouse, Sam Cooper.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 22, 2026

I was sound asleep when the storm broke and I was awakened by an earth-jarring clap of thunder that all but turned my bed over.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Related Words

• bankrupt
• destitute
• insolvent
• penniless