How to pronounce broken
Say it like BROH-kun. Broken has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BROH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce broken. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BROH
- kun
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Broken pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BROHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- kunKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of broken
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: BROH-kun.
What does broken mean?
- physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split“a broken mirror”“a broken tooth”
- not continuous in space, time, or sequence or varying abruptly“broken lines of defense”“a broken cable transmission”
- subdued or brought low in condition or status“brought low”“a broken man”
Where does broken come from?
From Middle English broken, from Old English brocen, ġebrocen, from Proto-Germanic *brukanaz, past participle of Proto-Germanic *brekaną (“to break”).
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with broken
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of broken.
Questions about saying broken
How do you pronounce broken?
Say BROH-kun. The American pronunciation is /ˈbroʊkən/. In British English it is /ˈbrəʊkən/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in broken?
Broken has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BROH). Broken into parts: BROH · kun.
Is broken pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ˈbrəʊkən/ (BROH-kun).