unbroken

Unbroken is an English adjective describing something that is not broken, either physically intact or continuing without interruption. The word is formed from the prefix un- meaning “not” and the past participle broken, with its sense of continuity often used metaphorically to indicate something unceasing or undamaged. The term has historical usage in various contexts and remains common in everyday language.

Common uses include describing objects that have not sustained damage (an unbroken vase, an unbroken seal) as well as states or sequences that have not been interrupted (an unbroken chain, an unbroken silence, an unbroken streak of wins). In contexts where durability or persistence matters, unbroken can emphasize resilience or continuity, contrasting with terms like broken, damaged, or interrupted.

In literature and film, Unbroken is a notable title. The 2010 biographical novel Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand tells the life story of Louis Zamperini, an American Olympic runner and World War II bombardier. A film adaptation, also titled Unbroken, was released in 2014 and directed by Angelina Jolie, with Jack O’Connell portraying Zamperini. The work is widely cited for recounting themes of endurance, faith, and survival under extreme hardship.

Unbroken variants appear in broader discourse to describe durable performance, uninterrupted records, or ongoing processes. The term is commonly paired with nouns that indicate duration or integrity, such as “unbroken line,” “unbroken record,” or “unbroken calm,” to convey lasting wholeness or continuity.