Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

broken-down

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.84 in modern English

Syllables: bro-ken--down
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Which has broken down and, as a result, is no longer in working order.

adj

Not properly maintained; neglected.

adj

Ruined in character or strength.

Example Sentences

"And a broken-down train and the severe weather temporarily shut the line between Dawlish and Exeter St Davids."
"We looked our last upon them and the indescribable rosy glow in which they lay, and then with hearts far too heavy for words we left them, and crept thence broken-down men - so broken down that we even renounced the chance of practically immortal life, because all that made life valuable had gone from us, and we knew even then that to prolong our days indefinitely would only be to prolong our sufferings."

Inflected Forms

more broken-down (comparative) most broken-down (superlative)

Synonyms

out of order ramshackle bedraggled derelict dilapidated tatterdemalion tumble-down

Questions

What does broken-down mean?: Which has broken down and, as a result, is no longer in working order.

How to pronounce broken-down

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “broken-down”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “broken-down”.
Repeat and practice — Say “broken-down” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.