Word
heartbroken
Phoneticsheart·bro·ken, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈhɑɹtˌbɹoʊkən/
UK/hˈɑːtbɹəʊkən/
Definition
adj. feeling extremely sad because a relationship has ended or because someone you love has died.
adj. suffering from overwhelming distress or sorrow, typically following the loss of a loved one or the end of a romantic relationship.
Examples
“She was heartbroken when her cat went missing.”
“He was absolutely heartbroken after his partner of ten years decided to end their relationship without warning.”
“The community was left heartbroken by the sudden closure of the historic library, which had served as a vital gathering place for generations of local families.”
Examples
simple
“She was heartbroken when her cat went missing.”
contextual
“He was absolutely heartbroken after his partner of ten years decided to end their relationship without warning.”
complex
“The community was left heartbroken by the sudden closure of the historic library, which had served as a vital gathering place for generations of local families.”
Usage
Often follows linking verbs such as 'be', 'feel', or 'seem'; frequently modified by intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'utterly'.
Real-World Examples
“How did he go from heartbroken widower to partying on a yacht?” “I feel guilty and heartbroken because I’ve suffered a loss too.” Etymology
From heart + broken.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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/heartbroken