ENGLISH
REFERENCE

heartbroken

adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈhɑɹtˌbɹoʊkən// UK //hˈɑːtbɹəʊkən// heart·bro·ken

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.


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.

Synonyms
Origin

From heart + broken.

Usage

Often follows linking verbs such as 'be', 'feel', or 'seem'; frequently modified by intensifiers like 'absolutely' or 'utterly'.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference