What does heartbroken mean?
Heartbroken is an adjective meaning overwhelmed by intense sadness or grief, most often because of a romantic rejection, separation, death, or other significant loss. The word is especially common in personal and emotional contexts, where it conveys a depth of sorrow greater than ordinary unhappiness. Someone can be described as heartbroken after a relationship ends, after learning devastating news, or when a cherished hope is abruptly disappointed. Its figurative structure compares emotional devastation to a physically broken heart, giving the feeling a vivid sense of damage and incompleteness. Although heartbroken is often associated with romantic relationships, it can describe grief over family, friends, opportunities, dreams, or other deeply valued things. In formal writing it remains natural and expressive, while more neutral alternatives such as grief-stricken, devastated, or profoundly saddened may be preferred in restrained contexts.
adjectiveOverwhelmed by intense sadness or grief, especially after a romantic rejection, separation, or significant loss.
- Feeling overwhelming sadness or grief, typically because of romantic rejection, separation, bereavement, or another profound loss.
"She was heartbroken after the love of her life unexpectedly ended their relationship."
"He was heartbroken when the relationship ended after many years together."
"The charity was heartbroken by the news of the disaster and pledged to support the families affected."
Heartbroken turns an emotional wound into the image of something physically broken, making grief feel both intimate and unforgettable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does heartbroken come from?
Heartbroken is a compound formed from the English words heart and broken, both of which are inherited from Old English. Heart comes from Old English heorte, while broken ultimately derives from Old English brocen, the past participle of brecan, “to break.” The compound’s figurative meaning—having a heart that is “broken” by grief—uses a physical image to describe emotional devastation.
How heartbroken is actually used
Common in everyday speech, personal narratives, and literary contexts. It is more emotionally emphatic than simply sad and is especially frequent in descriptions of romantic loss, though it can describe grief over any serious disappointment.
Easily confused with heartbroken
Heartbroken describes a person who is experiencing intense grief, whereas heartbreaking describes an event, image, or situation that causes such grief.