English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
adj

skint

skihnt

Skint (adj) means Completely out of money; broke. Example: “I can't come to the pub tonight, I'm totally skint until payday.”

adj
1
Completely out of money; broke.
"I can't come to the pub tonight, I'm totally skint until payday."
"Students are usually skint by the end of term."

How to use skint

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA casual British word for having no money at all.

When to use it

Informal and mainly British; Americans would say "broke" instead.

Common pairings
totally skint skint until payday flat skint

Word forms

skinter comparative, more skint comparative, skintest superlative, most skint superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “skint” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I can't come to the pub tonight, I'm totally _____ until payday.

Etymology

British slang from the 1920s, a variant spelling of "skinned" — the idea of being stripped of your money like being stripped of skin.

· First attested 1920

Class of 1920 skint joined the language around 1920.
See the full Class of 1920 →

Rhymes for skint

See all rhymes for skint →

Frequently asked questions

What does “skint” mean?

The word “skint” means completely out of money; broke. In plain terms, a casual British word for having no money at all.

How do you pronounce “skint”?

“Skint” is pronounced skihnt (/skɪnt/ in IPA).

How do you use “skint” in a sentence?

Here is “skint” used in a sentence: “I can't come to the pub tonight, I'm totally skint until payday.”

What part of speech is “skint”?

“Skint” is an adjective.

Where does the word “skint” come from?

The word “skint” dates back to around 1920. British slang from the 1920s, a variant spelling of "skinned" — the idea of being stripped of your money like being stripped of skin.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial