knackered
Americanadjective
adjective
-
exhausted; tired out
-
worn out; no longer working, esp after long or hard use
Usage
What does knackered mean? Knackered is a British slang word that means exhausted or worn out. Knackered is very informal and is primarily used in the U. K. Example: You can tell the players are a bit knackered after all the extra time in this match.
Etymology
Origin of knackered
First recorded in 1885–90; knacker “to tire” (attenuation of earlier sense “to kill”; cf. knacker ( def. 1 )) + -ed 2
Vocabulary lists containing knackered
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Five of the lambs are now being bottle-fed in a neighbouring pen, while two remain with their mother, who Frankland described as "knackered" after the birth.
From BBC ● May 8, 2026
Stokes didn't turn over his arm on Friday with assistant coach Jeetan Patel saying he was "knackered" after a stoic 83 with the bat.
From Barron's ● Dec. 20, 2025
Stokes didn't turn his arm on Friday with assistant coach Jeetan Patel saying he was "knackered" after a stoic 83 with the bat.
From Barron's ● Dec. 20, 2025
Dougie's prediction: I watched Villa lose at Chelsea last week and they looked knackered.
From BBC ● Dec. 6, 2024
“He’s knackered is what he is,” he said.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
