adj
kaput
kuh-PUUT
Kaput (adj) means Broken, ruined, or no longer working. Example: “The washing machine is kaput again.”
adj
1
Broken, ruined, or no longer working.
"The washing machine is kaput again."
"Once the engine overheated, the whole car was kaput."
How to use kaput
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishCompletely broken or finished — informal way of saying something no longer works.
When to use it
Casual and conversational; not used in formal writing.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like kaput.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The washing machine is _____ again.
Etymology
Borrowed from German kaputt ("broken"), which came from French capot, a term from the card game piquet describing a player who wins no tricks at all.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “kaput” mean?
The word “kaput” means broken, ruined, or no longer working. In plain terms, completely broken or finished — informal way of saying something no longer works.
How do you pronounce “kaput”?
“Kaput” is pronounced kuh-PUUT (/kəˈpʊt/ in IPA).
How do you use “kaput” in a sentence?
Here is “kaput” used in a sentence: “The washing machine is kaput again.”
What part of speech is “kaput”?
“Kaput” is an adjective.
Where does the word “kaput” come from?
The word “kaput” comes from French. Borrowed from German kaputt ("broken"), which came from French capot, a term from the card game piquet describing a player who wins no tricks at all.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include kaput:
