broken heart

USAGE SUMMARY

"broken heart" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who is feeling emotional pain or grief due to a romantic relationship ending. For example: "My friend has been devastated since his breakup; he has a broken heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A broken phone; a broken heart.

Vice

Smiley's got a broken heart.

The New York Times - Books

In every love, a broken heart.

Independent

Because everybody now has a broken heart.

The New Yorker

Neither is her presumably broken heart.

The New York Times

It's about a broken heart.

The New York Times

Plastic surgery can't heal a broken heart.

The Guardian

Takako probably died of a broken heart.

The Guardian

He also had a broken heart.

The New York Times

Of a broken heart, they say.

The New York Times - Sports

"I'm sad and scared and broken heart.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broken heart" when describing the emotional pain experienced after a romantic relationship ends or when experiencing a profound sense of loss.

Common error

While "broken heart" is a common idiom, avoid using it excessively in your writing. Instead, consider using more descriptive language or alternative phrases like "heartache" or "emotional distress" for a more nuanced effect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken heart" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of emotional distress, often associated with the end of a romantic relationship, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "broken heart" is a common noun phrase used to describe the emotional distress experienced after a significant loss, most often the end of a romantic relationship. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in news and media sources. While it's a widely understood idiom, it's essential to use it appropriately and avoid overuse, considering alternative expressions like "heartache" or "emotional distress" for a more nuanced expression. Remember, while a figurative "broken heart" is a common experience, in rare cases, extreme emotional stress can lead to a real medical condition known as stress cardiomyopathy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lovesickness

Focuses specifically on the pain and longing associated with unrequited love or separation.

heartache

A more general term for emotional pain or distress, not necessarily related to romantic loss.

downhearted

Describes a feeling of discouragement or unhappiness.

heavy heart

Describes a feeling of sadness or burden, often due to disappointment or worry.

sorrowful

Describes a state of deep sadness or regret.

grief-stricken

Emphasizes the intense sorrow and mourning associated with significant loss.

despondent

Indicates a loss of hope and confidence.

crushed spirit

Focuses on the damaging impact of disappointment on one's morale and enthusiasm.

emotional distress

A broad term indicating significant emotional suffering.

anguish

Highlights severe mental or physical suffering.

FAQs

How to use "broken heart" in a sentence?

You can use "broken heart" to describe the feeling of intense sadness or grief, typically after the end of a romantic relationship. For example, "She's been nursing a "broken heart" since her breakup last month."

What can I say instead of "broken heart"?

You can use alternatives like "heartache", "grief-stricken", or "heavy heart" depending on the specific context.

Is it possible to literally die of a "broken heart"?

While rare, stress cardiomyopathy, also known as "broken heart" syndrome, is a real condition where extreme emotional or physical stress can lead to heart muscle weakening that mimics a heart attack.

What's the difference between "broken heart" and "heartache"?

"Broken heart" typically refers to the specific emotional pain experienced after a romantic relationship ends, while "heartache" is a more general term for emotional pain or distress, which can stem from various sources, not only romantic loss.