Busted
/ˈbʌstɪd/
adjectiveBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
Broken; in a state of disrepair.
/ˈbʌstɪd/
adjectivenegativeBeginner
General
Broken or damaged
The old chair was busted.
💡 Simply: Broken
More Examples
2
My car's engine is busted.
How It's Used
General
"My phone is busted; the screen is cracked."
2
To arrest; to catch in the act of committing a crime.
/ˈbʌstɪd/
verbneutralIntermediate
General
To arrest or catch someone
They busted him for speeding.
💡 Simply: To arrest
More Examples
2
The police busted the thief red-handed.
How It's Used
Law Enforcement
"The police busted the drug ring."
Tip:Think of police 'busting' a criminal operation.
Past participle of "bust", ultimately from Middle English "busten", meaning to break or burst.
The word's usage as a past participle in the sense of "broken" predates its use in relation to law enforcement.
Memory tip
Think of something 'busted' as being broken beyond repair.
Practice
busttedbustid
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written