A1verb1K

Break

UK /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/US /["/breɪk/","/breɪks/","/brəʊk/","/ˈbrəʊkən/","/ˈbreɪkɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to be damaged and separated into two or more parts, as a result of force; to damage something in this way

In simple words: To separate into pieces or stop working.

Examples

Please be careful not to break the glass.
He was so tired that he decided to take a break.
She wants to break the record for the fastest runner.
If you drop it, it will break into pieces.
They need to break the habit of spending too much money.

Usage notes

Used for physical objects or figurative contexts like breaking a habit. Not usually used in very formal writing or speech.

Grammar pattern

break + object

Memory hint

Think of a 'break' in a glass, it comes apart!

Collocations

break a promise
break the news
break out
take a break
break down

Synonyms

shatter
fracture
crack
interrupt
disrupt

Antonyms

repair
fix
build

Common mistakes

Confused with 'brake', the device to slow a vehicle.
Using it in contexts where 'pause' or 'stop' is more appropriate.
Incorrectly forming the past tense as 'breaked' instead of 'broke'.