'heartbreak' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'heorte' meaning 'heart' and 'brecan' meaning 'to break'.

'heorte' and 'brecan' combined in Middle English to form 'heartbreken', eventually becoming the modern English word 'heartbreak'.

Initially, it meant 'to break one's heart', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'overwhelming distress or sorrow'.