adj
knackered
NAK-uhd
Knackered (adj) means Extremely tired or worn out. Example: “I'm absolutely knackered after that shift.”
adj
1
Extremely tired or worn out.
"I'm absolutely knackered after that shift."
2
Broken or no longer working.
"We take an old knackered machine out to China and say, 'Copy that, brand new,' and they do."
— John Newton, Vance Miller - Kitchen Gangster? (2009)
"The washing machine's knackered again."
How to use knackered
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishExhausted, or (of things) broken.
When to use it
British informal slang; not typically used in American English.
Common pairings
completely knackered
knackered engine
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like knackered.
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
Word forms
- Comparative
- more knackered
- Superlative
- most knackered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I'm absolutely _____ after that shift.
Etymology
From "knacker," originally the person who slaughtered worn-out horses — so being "knackered" meant fit only for the knacker's yard, worn out beyond use.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for knackered
See all rhymes for knackered →Frequently asked questions
What does “knackered” mean?
The word “knackered” means extremely tired or worn out. In plain terms, exhausted, or (of things) broken.
How do you pronounce “knackered”?
“Knackered” is pronounced NAK-uhd (/ˈnæk.ɚd/ in IPA).
How do you use “knackered” in a sentence?
Here is “knackered” used in a sentence: “I'm absolutely knackered after that shift.”
What part of speech is “knackered”?
“Knackered” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “knackered” have?
“Knackered” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: extremely tired or worn out.
