Broke vs. Broken — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 29, 2024
"Broke" primarily describes a lack of money or a sudden financial downfall, whereas "broken" refers to something that is damaged or not functioning properly.
Difference Between Broke and Broken
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Key Differences
Broke is commonly used to describe a financial state where an individual or entity lacks money and is unable to meet financial obligations. This term emphasizes temporary or sudden financial distress. Broken, on the other hand, describes an object, relationship, or system that is damaged, malfunctioning, or has ceased to work as intended.
When referring to objects, "broke" can colloquially mean that something has run out or is used up, such as in "I'm broke this month." In contrast, "broken" implies physical damage or failure, such as in "The vase is broken."
In personal contexts, someone might say they are "broke" to indicate they have no money left to spend, highlighting a temporary situation. Whereas someone describing their phone as "broken" suggests it has sustained damage that affects its functionality.
"Broke" does not typically apply to describing physical conditions or emotional states. Instead, it's reserved for financial contexts or as a slang expression for being out of money. "Broken," however, is versatile and used to express a state of disrepair in both tangible and intangible forms, such as "a broken heart."
In broader terms, "broke" can also be used in phrases like "go broke," which means to lose all one’s money, highlighting a process or action leading to financial ruin. Meanwhile, "broken" is used in contexts that describe the result of something being destroyed or impaired, such as "broken dreams."
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Lacking money; financially destitute.
Damaged; not in working order.
Usage Context
Financial situations, colloquial.
Physical objects, relationships, systems.
Temporality
Often temporary or cyclical.
Can be temporary or permanent.
Emotional Connotation
Frequently casual or informal.
Often serious or somber.
Physical Application
Rarely applicable to physical items.
Commonly used for physical damage.
Compare with Definitions
Broke
Lacking funds to cover expenditures.
I can't afford to go out tonight; I'm broke until payday.
Broken
Referring to something that is damaged and inoperative.
My watch is broken and needs to be fixed.
Broke
Used to describe a critical lack of any resource.
The team is broke on ideas for the new project.
Broken
Describing a relationship or system that has failed.
Their partnership is broken beyond repair.
Broke
Informal usage meaning out of stock or depleted.
We're broke on milk until the next delivery.
Broken
Pertaining to rules or laws that have been violated.
Broken laws lead to legal consequences.
Broke
Financially ruined or bankrupt.
After the business failed, he went broke.
Broken
Used metaphorically for emotional distress.
He felt broken after the divorce.
Broke
Slang for having no money.
I’m always broke after paying rent.
Broken
Indicating interruption or discontinuation.
Sleep broken by nightmares is not restful.
Broke
Past tense of break.
Broken
Past participle of break.
Broke
(Nonstandard)A past participle of break.
Broken
Forcibly separated into two or more pieces; fractured
A broken arm.
Broken glass.
Broke
Bankrupt.
Broken
Sundered by divorce, separation, or desertion of a parent or parents
Children from broken homes.
A broken marriage.
Broke
Lacking funds
"an organization that gets increasingly obscure and broke with each passing year" (Dean Bakopoulos).
Broken
Having been violated
A broken promise.
Broke
Inflection of break
Broken
Incomplete
A broken set of books.
Broke
To act as a broker; to transact business for another; broker#Verb.
Agents broking with various other carriers can offer additional options
Broken
Being in a state of disarray; disordered
Troops fleeing in broken ranks.
Broke
(obsolete) To act as procurer in love matters; to pimp.
Broken
Intermittently stopping and starting; discontinuous
A broken cable transmission.
Broke
(informal) Financially ruined, bankrupt.
Broken
Varying abruptly, as in pitch
Broken sobs.
Broke
(informal) Without any money, penniless.
Dead broke; flat broke
Broken
Spoken with gaps and errors
Broken English.
Broke
Broken.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Broken
Topographically rough; uneven
Broken terrain.
Broke
(nautical) Demoted, deprived of a commission.
He was broke and rendered unfit to serve His Majesty at sea.
Broken
Subdued totally; humbled
A broken spirit.
Broke
(slang) Broke off, rich, wealthy
Broken
Weakened and infirm
Broken health.
Broke
(papermaking) Paper or board that is discarded and repulped during the manufacturing process.
Broken
Crushed by grief
Died of a broken heart.
Broke
(obsolete) A fragment, remains, a piece broken off.
Broken
Financially ruined; bankrupt.
Broke
To transact business for another.
Broken
Not functioning; out of order
A broken washing machine.
Broke
To act as procurer in love matters; to pimp.
We do want a certain necessary woman to broke between them, Cupid said.
And brokes with all that can in such a suitCorrupt the tender honor of a maid.
Broken
Inflection of break
Broke
Lacking funds;
`skint' is a British slang term
Broken
; in separate pieces.
Broken
; having the bone in pieces.
My arm is broken!
The ground was littered with broken bones
Broken
(of skin) split or ruptured.
A dog bit my leg and now the skin is broken.
Broken
; made up of short lines with small gaps between each one and the next.
Broken
(of sleep) interrupted; not continuous.
Broken
Five-eighths to seven-eighths obscured by clouds; incompletely covered by clouds.
Tomorrow: broken skies.
Broken
Having periods of silence scattered throughout; not regularly continuous.
Broken
Breached; violated; not kept.
Broken promises of neutrality
Broken vows
The broken covenant
Broken
; not functioning properly.
I think my doorbell is broken.
Broken
Disconnected, no longer open or carrying traffic.
Broken
Badly designed or implemented.
This is the most broken application I've seen in a long time.
Broken
(of language) Grammatically non-standard, especially as a result of being produced by a non-native speaker.
Broken
Not having gone in the way intended; saddening.
Oh man! That is just broken!
Broken
Completely defeated and dispirited; shattered; destroyed.
The bankruptcy and divorce, together with the death of his son, left him completely broken.
Broken
Having no money; bankrupt, broke.
Broken
(of land) Uneven.
Broken
Overpowered; overly powerful; too powerful.
Broken
Separated into parts or pieces by violence; divided into fragments; as, a broken chain or rope; a broken dish.
Broken
Disconnected; not continuous; also, rough; uneven; as, a broken surface.
Broken
Fractured; cracked; disunited; sundered; strained; apart; as, a broken reed; broken friendship.
Broken
Made infirm or weak, by disease, age, or hardships.
The one being who remembered him as he been before his mind was broken.
The broken soldier, kindly bade to stay,Sat by his fire, and talked the night away.
Broken
Subdued; humbled; contrite.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
Broken
Subjugated; trained for use, as a horse.
Broken
Crushed and ruined as by something that destroys hope; blighted.
Broken
Not carried into effect; not adhered to; violated; as, a broken promise, vow, or contract; a broken law.
Broken
Ruined financially; incapable of redeeming promises made, or of paying debts incurred; as, a broken bank; a broken tradesman.
Broken
Imperfectly spoken, as by a foreigner; as, broken English; imperfectly spoken on account of emotion; as, to say a few broken words at parting.
Amidst the broken words and loud weeping of those grave senators.
Broken
Physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split; or legally or emotionally destroyed;
A broken mirror
A broken tooth
A broken leg
His neck is broken
Children from broken homes
A broken marriage
A broken heart
Broken
Not continuous in space, time, or sequence or varying abruptly;
Broken lines of defense
A broken cable transmission
Broken sleep
Tear off the stub above the broken line
A broken note
Broken sobs
Broken
Subdued or brought low in condition or status;
Brought low
A broken man
His broken spirit
Broken
(especially of promises or contracts) having been violated or disregarded;
Broken (or unkept) promises
Broken contracts
Broken
Tamed or trained to obey;
A horse broken to the saddle
This old nag is well broken in
Broken
Topographically very uneven;
Broken terrain
Rugged ground
Broken
Imperfectly spoken or written;
Broken English
Broken
Thrown into a state of disarray or confusion;
Troops fleeing in broken ranks
A confused mass of papers on the desk
The small disordered room
With everything so upset
Broken
Weakened and infirm;
Broken health resulting from alcoholism
Broken
Destroyed financially;
The broken fortunes of the family
Broken
Out of working order (`busted' is an informal substitute for `broken');
A broken washing machine
The coke machine is broken
The coke machine is busted
Broken
Discontinuous;
Broken clouds
Broken sunshine
Broken
Lacking a part or parts;
A broken set of encyclopedia
Common Curiosities
Is being broke always a long-term condition?
No, being broke is often a temporary financial state until the next income or money source is available.
Can "broken" be used to describe financial situations?
"Broken" is not typically used for financial contexts; it's more for describing something damaged or malfunctioning.
How do the terms relate to emotional states?
"Broke" is rarely used for emotions, while "broken" can describe feelings of deep emotional hurt or failure.
Can "broke" apply to machines or technology?
It's unusual to describe technology or machines as "broke"; the term "broken" is appropriate in these cases.
What is the implication of something being broken in a relationship?
If a relationship is described as broken, it implies significant damage that might be irreparable.
Can a city or country be broke or broken?
A city or country might be described as "broke" in terms of financial crises, and "broken" when referring to social, economic, or infrastructural collapse.
Can a person be broken?
Yes, describing a person as broken often refers to their emotional or psychological state being significantly damaged.
What does it mean when someone says they are broke?
When someone says they are broke, they mean they have no money available to spend.
What types of things can be described as broken?
Objects, relationships, systems, or rules can be described as broken when they fail to function properly or are damaged.
Is it grammatically correct to say "My phone is broke"?
Colloquially, some might say "My phone is broke," but the correct form is "My phone is broken."
What is the difference in formality between the two terms?
"Broke" is more colloquial and casual, especially in financial contexts, whereas "broken" has a broader and more formal usage.
Which term is more severe, broke or broken?
"Broken" often carries a heavier, more severe connotation due to its association with deep damage or failure.
What mindset is needed to overcome being broke or broken?
Overcoming being broke may require financial planning and resource management, while healing from being broken might involve emotional support and time.
What should you do if you find something broken?
If something is broken, it typically needs repair or replacement, depending on the extent of the damage.
How do the recovery processes differ for broke vs. broken?
Recovery from being broke might involve financial strategies or new income, whereas fixing something broken might require repair or systemic change.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
