# fractured

/ˈfɹæktʃɝd/ (US) · /fɹˈæktʃəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fractured
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. physically broken

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- The X-ray showed that he had a fractured wrist from the fall.
- The surgeon explained that the fractured tibia would require several weeks of complete immobilisation to heal correctly.

### 2. divided into groups

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

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

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

- The political party was fractured after the leaders argued about the new law.
- The fractured nature of the coalition government made it nearly impossible to pass any significant legislation during the first term.

### 3. broken into pieces

adjective · CEFR B2

broken into many sharp or uneven pieces.

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

- We found fractured pieces of glass all over the kitchen floor.
- The geologist examined the fractured rock samples to determine the direction of the tectonic pressure.

## Examples

- The doctor confirmed that his arm was fractured in two places.
- The political party became fractured after the members failed to agree on a new leader for the upcoming election.
- The once-unified community remained fractured for decades, as deep-seated resentments prevented any meaningful reconciliation between the rival factions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.