What does unbroken mean?
Unbroken describes something that has not been broken, damaged, or interrupted. Its literal use refers to objects or structures that remain whole, such as an unbroken chain or an unbroken piece of glass. More broadly, it can describe something that continues without a pause, as in an unbroken period of silence or an uninterrupted sequence. The word also has a figurative meaning: an unbroken record, streak, or spirit suggests achievement, consistency, or resilience that has not been stopped. Unbroken is usually neutral in tone and can apply across physical, abstract, and personal contexts. Compared with terms such as intact, it may emphasize continuity as much as physical soundness. Compared with unbreakable, it describes a current condition rather than an inherent ability to resist breaking. Its straightforward formation makes it especially effective for expressing ideas of wholeness, persistence, and continuity.
adjectiveNot broken, damaged, or interrupted; remaining whole or continuous.
- Not broken, damaged, or damaged in structure.
- Continuing without interruption or disruption.
- Not interrupted in spirit, resolve, or achievement, especially in the expression of an unbroken record or streak.
"The old bridge remained unbroken despite the fierce storm."
"She maintained an unbroken run of daily practice throughout the winter."
"The team's unbroken spirit carried them through several difficult matches."
An unbroken chain and an unbroken record share a simple ideal: every link continues to hold.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does unbroken come from?
Unbroken is formed from the negative prefix un- and the participial form broken. Both elements have Germanic ancestry: un- is the Old English prefix meaning “not,” while broken descends from brocen, the past participle of Old English brecan, “to break.” The compound therefore means literally “not broken,” with its figurative uses extending the idea to continuity, persistence, and emotional resilience.
How unbroken is actually used
The word is neutral in register and common in both formal and informal contexts. It can describe physical objects, continuous processes, records, streaks, and figurative qualities such as resilience or concentration.
Easily confused with unbroken
Unbroken means not currently broken or interrupted, whereas unbreakable describes something that is inherently unable to be broken.