broke

Q: What does "broke" mean?

1. (past tense of break) the past tense of 'break'. 2. (having no money) having no money at all. 3. (to act as a broker) to arrange a deal or business agreement between other people. 4. (paper waste) paper that is damaged or left over during manufacturing and sent to be recycled.

Q: Is it correct to say "The window was broke by the ball."?

No — say "The window was broken by the ball.". Use 'broke' for the simple past and 'broken' for the passive voice or past participle.

Word

01past tense of break

A2 · Elementary

v. the past tense of 'break'.

v. the simple past tense of the irregular verb 'break'.

“He accidentally broke his favorite mug when he dropped it this morning.”

“The sudden surge in pressure broke the main water pipe, causing significant flooding in the basement before the valves could be closed.”

Pitfall

The window was broke by the ball.

The window was broken by the ball.

Use 'broke' for the simple past and 'broken' for the passive voice or past participle.

Synonyms

fractured shattered

Antonyms

fixed repaired

02having no money

A2 · Elementary Informal

adj. having no money at all.

adj. lacking financial resources; penniless or bankrupt.

“I can't go to the cinema tonight because I'm completely broke until payday.”

“After the startup failed, the founders found themselves broke and looking for entry-level positions in a competitive market.”

Synonyms

penniless bankrupt insolvent

Antonyms

wealthy rich affluent

03to act as a broker

C1 · Advanced Law Formal · Technical

v. to arrange a deal or business agreement between other people.

v. to negotiate or arrange a deal, typically as an intermediary.

“The two countries tried to broke a peace deal after years of war.”

“The diplomat spent months attempting to broke a ceasefire between the warring factions, though local leaders remained skeptical of the terms.”

Usage

Often used in political or high-level business contexts regarding treaties or mergers.

Synonyms

negotiate mediate broker

04paper waste

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. paper that is damaged or left over during manufacturing and sent to be recycled.

n. discarded paper or board that is repulped during the manufacturing process.

“The factory collects all the broke to make new sheets of paper.”

“Efficient mill management requires the systematic collection of wet and dry broke to minimize raw material costs and reduce environmental impact.”

Synonyms

scrap waste

Ablauted form of break.

From Middle English broce, from Old English gebroc (“fragment”), from brecan (“to break”). Compare broken, past participle of break. Compare also Scots brock (“a scrap of meat or bread”).

Back-formation from broker.

Clipping of broke off.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

bankruptcy broken