What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
brokenhearted
Example
She was brokenhearted when her boyfriend broke up with her. [brokenhearted: adjective]
Example
The news of his best friend's death left him feeling brokenhearted. [brokenhearted: adjective]
heartbroken
Example
He was heartbroken when he didn't get accepted into his dream college. [heartbroken: adjective]
Example
She felt heartbroken after her beloved pet passed away. [heartbroken: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Heartbroken is more commonly used than brokenhearted in everyday language. Heartbroken is versatile and can be used to describe various types of emotional pain and devastation, while brokenhearted is more specific to the context of failed romantic relationships.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between brokenhearted and heartbroken?
Both brokenhearted and heartbroken are generally used in informal and casual contexts. However, heartbroken can also be used in more formal settings to express deep emotional distress.