WordGarden.iounbroken
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnbrˈəʊkən/
US
- /ənˈbroʊkən/
Meanings
Adjective
not broken, cracked, or separated into pieces
continuing without interruption or gaps
not defeated, subdued, or broken in spirit
Beyond the definition
"Unbroken" describes something that stays whole, intact, or uninterrupted. Think of an unbroken chain: every link is still there, making one complete line. It can describe physical things, like an unbroken seal on a bottle or an unbroken plate, but it also works for less physical ideas, like an unbroken spirit that stays strong after hard times. A long quiet night may be marked by unbroken silence, and a team with an unbroken winning streak keeps winning without losing.
It can also suggest loyalty and steady continuity, as in an unbroken promise or an unbroken line of family tradition. The word often carries a feeling of strength, endurance, and something that has not been damaged or stopped.
The word "unbroken" signifies a state of completeness, integrity, or continuity—meaning something hasn't been fractured, interrupted, or diminished. It is often used to describe physical objects that remain intact: an unbroken vase, an unbroken seal on a package, or an unbroken line of trees stretching across the horizon.
However, "unbroken" extends far beyond the purely physical. It can also refer to abstract qualities like spirit, tradition, or commitment. An "unbroken spirit" suggests resilience and determination in the face of adversity. In competitive contexts, an unbroken winning streak refers to continued success without a loss, and a record that remains unbroken is one that no one has beaten.
Historically, the word carries connotations of strength and endurance. Think of ancient traditions passed down through generations, remaining "unbroken" despite the passage of time. There is also a specific usage regarding animals: an "unbroken horse" is one that hasn't been tamed or trained, retaining its wild, natural state.
"Unbroken" can also describe a continuous period of time or activity: "an unbroken silence," "an unbroken chain of events," or "an unbroken sleep." It emphasizes the lack of interruption and the seamless flow of experience. In literature, an "unbroken narrative" refers to a story told linearly, without flashbacks or digressions.
So, whether describing a physical object, a personal quality, or a historical legacy, "unbroken" speaks to wholeness, continuity, and resilience—a state where something remains complete and undiminished despite challenges or the passage of time.
Examples
- 1
Nature
For miles, the road ran through unbroken forest.
- 2
Sleep
I finally got six hours of unbroken sleep last night.
- 3
Queue
An unbroken line of people waited outside the theater.
- 4
Awkward silence
After he made that comment, there was an unbroken silence around the table.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Sports record
The team has kept an unbroken record at home this season.
- Phrasean unbroken record
a record with no losses or failures
- 6
Tradition
The festival is part of an unbroken tradition that goes back more than 200 years.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- unbroken line
- unbroken sequence
- unbroken silence
- unbroken chain
Word family
- break
- unbrokenly
Explore
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- unbrokenadjective