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break · verb /breɪk/Full view
Nouns: break, outbreak, breakage
Adjectives: broken, unbreakable, unbroken
Verbs: break
break (SEPARATE)
A2 I or T to separate into two or more pieces or to make something do this
Dictionary examples:

The dish fell to the floor and broke.

They had to break a window to get in.

I dropped the vase and it broke into pieces.

Learner example:

I broke a beautiful glass. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

break your arm/leg, etc.
A2 to damage a bone in your arm/leg, etc.
Dictionary example:

Barbara slipped on the ice and broke her arm.

Learner example:

I['m] sell[ing] my bicycle because I broke my leg. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

break (NOT WORK)
A2 I or T If you break a machine, object, etc., or if it breaks, it stops working because it is damaged.
Dictionary example:

I think I've broken your camera.

Learner example:

I'd like [a new mobile phone] because the other one ha[s] broken. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

break (INTERRUPT)
B1 I or T to stop doing something for a short time
Dictionary examples:

Let's break for lunch.

If you sit at a desk all day, try to break your routine with a walk or a swim.

Learner example:

I think the most important aim of a holiday is to break your daily routine. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

break (END)
B2 I or T to come to an end or make something come to an end
Dictionary examples:

Eventually someone spoke, breaking the silence.

The factory brought in outside workers in an attempt to break the strike.

Learner example:

George was looking outside when something broke the silence. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

break a record
B2 to do something better, faster, etc. than anyone else
Dictionary example:

Usain Bolt broke the world record for the 200 metres.

Learner example:

I personally think that nobody will ever break his record of being champion seven times. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

break an agreement/promise, etc.
B2 to not do what you should do
Dictionary example:

She agreed not to tell anyone but she has broken her promise.

Learner example:

I am very surprised that such a reputable theatre [as] yours has been able to break all [the] promises that appeared in the advertisement. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

break the law
B2 to do something illegal
Dictionary example:

He didn't know he was breaking the law by smoking inside the building.

Learner example:

Jem, the youngest brother, is a horse-thief, so he breaks the law as well, but his crime is a minor one. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

break the ice
B2 to make people feel more relaxed in a social situation
Dictionary example:

I told everyone a joke, which helped to break the ice.

Learner example:

And, of course, don't forget that a warm smile is one of the best ways to break the ice. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

break sb's heart
B2 to make someone feel extremely sad
Dictionary examples:

She really broke his heart when she left.

It breaks my heart when I hear the terrible things that have been said about him.

Learner example:

I thought that the hamster would live forever but I was wrong and that mistake broke my heart. (First Certificate in English; B2; Portuguese)

break even
C1 to not make money but also not lose money
Dictionary example:

The company only managed to break even this year.

Learner example:

Company C does not seem to be doing well. In the year 2000, it just seems to be breaking even. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Urdu)

break (BECOME KNOWN)
C2 I or T If news or a story breaks, or if someone breaks it, it becomes known by the public for the first time.
Dictionary example:

News of the scandal broke just before the election.

break the news to sb
C2 to tell someone about something unpleasant that has happened
Dictionary example:

Who's going to break the news to his wife?

Learner example:

She broke the news to his wife Helen. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)

break free
C2 to suddenly escape or become separate from something
Dictionary example:

The prisoner broke free while the guards weren't looking.

break free
C2 to escape from someone or something that is controlling you
Dictionary example:

She tried to break free from the social conditioning of her upbringing.

Learner example:

I would like to revisit there one day as it's firmly connected to my ad[o]lescence, when I struggled to break free from my peers, [and] tried to establish my own identity. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

break (STORM)
C2 I If a storm breaks, it starts suddenly.
Dictionary example:

The storm broke just as we reached home.

Learner example:

Suddenly the moon disappeared behind the clouds and, in a few moments, a violent storm broke. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Italian)

break (WEATHER)
C2 I If the weather breaks, it changes suddenly, and usually becomes worse.
Dictionary example:

The weather is due to break at the weekend.

break new ground
C2 to do something that is different to anything that has been done before
Dictionary example:

Their research is really breaking new ground.

Learner example:

Paul decided to break new ground in music no matter how long it took. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Spanish)

break down
B1 If a machine or vehicle breaks down, it stops working.
Dictionary example:

Our car broke down and we had to push it off the road.

Learner example:

I'm just writing to tell you why I [need to] borrow your bicycle, because I am going to go [to] my farm next week and my car has broken down. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Arabic)

break in or break into sth
B1 to get into a building or car using force, usually to steal something
Dictionary examples:

The burglars broke in through the kitchen window.

My car's been broken into twice this month.

Learner example:

I even thought a burglar might have broken into my house and was going to kill me. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

break off (sth) or break (sth) off
B2 to end (something) suddenly
Dictionary examples:

She broke off in the middle of a sentence.

She broke off the engagement just two weeks before the wedding.

Learner example:

As you remember, my car didn't work as well as it should and I had to break off my [trip]. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

break out
B2 If something dangerous or unpleasant breaks out, it suddenly starts.
Dictionary examples:

War broke out in 1914.

The fire broke out in the early morning.

Fighting has broken out all over the city.

Learner example:

Unfortunately everything was stopped because [the] Second World War broke out. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

break through sth
B2 to force your way through something that is holding you back
Dictionary example:

Protesters broke through the barriers.

Learner example:

It broke through the ceiling and when she looked she saw [it was] a UFO. (First Certificate in English; B2; Turkish)

break up (END RELATIONSHIP)
B1 If two people break up, they stop having a relationship.
Dictionary examples:

Jenny and George have broken up.

She's just broken up with her boyfriend.

Learner example:

The problem is that a few months ago, when he had broken up with me, I wanted him to feel jealous, so I started meeting with Fredo, a friend. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

break up (END CLASSES)
B1 When schools or colleges break up, the classes end and the holidays begin.
Dictionary example:

What date do we break up this year?

Learner example:

Summer is my favourite season, because schools break up for [the] holidays. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

break · noun C /breɪk/
Nouns: break, outbreak, breakage
Adjectives: broken, unbreakable, unbroken
Verbs: break
break (STOP)
A2 when you stop an activity for a short time, usually to rest or to eat
Dictionary examples:

a coffee/lunch break

We'll take another break at 3.30.

They worked through the night without a break.

Learner example:

You must bring an old shirt, pencils, water and some food for the break. (Key English Test; A2; Greek)

break (HOLIDAY)
B1 a holiday or period of time away from work, school, etc.
Dictionary example:

a weekend break to Paris

Learner example:

He had a break for the weekend, and he called me: "I am in London, so, if you want to see me, it's the time!" (Preliminary English Test; B1; French)

break (DAMAGE)
C1 where something has separated in an accident
Dictionary example:

a break in the bone

break (OPPORTUNITY)
C2 a lucky opportunity
Dictionary examples:

His big break came when he was offered a part in a TV series.

Meeting Tom was my lucky break.

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