Word
heartbreak
Phoneticsheart·break, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑɹtˌbɹeɪk/
UK/hˈɑːtbɹeɪk/
Countable & uncountable
Definition
n. a feeling of very deep sadness and pain. You usually feel this when a relationship ends or when you lose someone you love.
n. overwhelming distress or sorrow, typically resulting from the end of a romantic relationship or the loss of a loved one.
Examples
“It took her months to recover from the heartbreak of the breakup.”
“The movie captures the quiet heartbreak of a family forced to leave their home during the war.”
“While time eventually dulls the sharpest edges of heartbreak, the memory of such profound loss often leaves a permanent mark on one's emotional landscape.”
Examples
simple
“It took her months to recover from the heartbreak of the breakup.”
contextual
“The movie captures the quiet heartbreak of a family forced to leave their home during the war.”
complex
“While time eventually dulls the sharpest edges of heartbreak, the memory of such profound loss often leaves a permanent mark on one's emotional landscape.”
Usage
Uncountable when referring to the general state of sorrow; countable when referring to a specific instance or event.
Real-World Examples
“But what followed was three years of heartbreak when Hayley suffered a placental abruption at 19 weeks pregnant and was told her baby boy, who they had named Oscar, had died.” “When we found out she passed away, it was such a heartbreak to all of us.” Etymology
From heart + break. Compare heartache § Etymology.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/heartbreak