English Reference
adjective

fractured

adj.
US /ˈfɹæktʃɝd/ UK /fɹˈæktʃəd/ frac·tured

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    broken or cracked, especially when talking about a bone or a hard object.

    having a crack or break on the surface; frequently used in medical contexts to describe bone injuries.

    Simple

    The X-ray showed that he had a fractured wrist from the fall.

    In context

    The surgeon explained that the fractured tibia would require several weeks of complete immobilisation to heal correctly.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced AcademicFormal

    split into different groups that do not agree with each other.

    divided into several parts or factions, often due to disagreement or lack of unity.

    Simple

    The political party was fractured after the leaders argued about the new law.

    In context

    The fractured nature of the coalition government made it nearly impossible to pass any significant legislation during the first term.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    broken into many sharp or uneven pieces.

    separated into fragments or sharp pieces, typically referring to hard, brittle materials.

    Simple

    We found fractured pieces of glass all over the kitchen floor.

    In context

    The geologist examined the fractured rock samples to determine the direction of the tectonic pressure.

Frain, then 19, was left with multiple injuries including a fractured leg, which took two years to heal.

BBC News· 21 Aug 2026

The brothers have had a fractured relationship for a number of years.

BBC News· 20 Aug 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated