adjective
broken
Damaged, interrupted, or no longer working properly.
The broken chair wobbles because one leg has split.
Etymology
The inherited verb means to break. Its participle describes the resulting condition, extending from physical damage to interrupted continuity or failed operation.
More examples
- A broken promise damaged their friendship.
- She slept in broken stretches between the baby's cries.
- The telephone connection left his words broken and difficult to follow.
Forms
broken
Similar words
- damaged
- Indicates harm, broken often means a loss of continuity or proper function.