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.
He's had an extra few days to prepare for Wimbledon and Otto, who caused the biggest shock of the men's draw by beating American fourth seed Ben Shelton in five sets, will be knackered.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
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
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
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.
