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break · verb /breɪk/Full view
Nouns: break, outbreak
Adjectives: broken
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:

At last I managed to break the routine of the city and play with my brothers and sisters. (First Certificate in English; B2; Greek)

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.

Bad habits are hard to break.

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 meters.

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 broke her promise.

Learner example:

I am very surprised that such a reputable theat[er] [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 make as much money as you spent, but no more
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 examples:

News of the scandal broke just before the election.

The newspaper reporters who broke the story won the Pulitzer prize.

break the news to sb
C2 to tell someone about something new or important
Dictionary examples:

When they broke the news of their engagement, their parents were was delighted.

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

Learner example:

It wasn't hard to understand why she was filled with delight and happiness when her manager broke the news. The company was opening a new branch in Miami and they wanted her to become the director there. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)

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 free
C2 to suddenly escape or become separate from something or someone
Dictionary examples:

The dog broke free and ran into traffic.

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

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 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
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 · noun C /breɪk/
Nouns: break, outbreak
Adjectives: broken
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 (VACATION)
B1 a vacation or period of time away from work, school, etc.
Dictionary example:

Where are you going over spring break?

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)
B1 where something has cracked or separated into pieces
Dictionary examples:

A break in a water pipe caused a flood.

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.

Getting that first job was a lucky break.

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