Brokenhearted means feeling deep sadness and emotional pain, usually because of a loss or disappointment that really matters to you. The word captures that heavy, aching feeling when something precious ends or goes wrong in a way that feels overwhelming.

People most often feel brokenhearted about relationships. A person might be brokenhearted when a close friendship ends badly, when a beloved pet dies, or when someone they care about moves far away. The word suggests the hurt goes deeper than ordinary sadness: it feels like something inside you has actually cracked or shattered.

You can also feel brokenhearted about dreams that don't come true. An athlete might feel brokenhearted after their team loses the championship game in the final seconds, or a student might feel brokenhearted when they don't get into the special program they worked so hard to qualify for.

While the pain feels terrible in the moment, most people find that broken hearts do mend over time, and they may become stronger and more understanding of others who hurt.