What does knackered mean?
“Knackered” is an informal word meaning extremely tired, exhausted, or worn out. It is especially common in British and Australian English, where it can describe a person who has been working, travelling, or exerting themselves for too long: “We were knackered by the time we reached the hotel.” The word can also describe a machine, vehicle, or other object that is broken, ruined, or no longer functioning properly, often with a humorous implication: “The car finally gave up and became knackered.” Its blunt, vivid tone makes it more conversational and emphatic than neutral words such as “tired” or “broken,” and it is often used with intensifiers like “completely” or “absolutely.” Although the expression can sound dismissive or exaggerated, it is a common and memorable way to describe fatigue, wear, and mechanical failure.
Very tired or exhausted; also, of a machine or object, broken or worn out.
"The children were knackered after the long journey."
Informal, especially common in British and Australian English.
Past participle of “knacker,” meaning to make exhausted or damaged, or to become worn out or broken.
"The heat knackered the crew before the work was finished."
The verb form is usually used as the past participle “have knackered” or as a passive adjective.
A distinctly British way to say that you are completely worn out, “knackered” has even become useful for describing machines that have finally given up.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does knackered come from?
“Knackered” is the past participle and adjective of “knacker,” a verb meaning to make or become exhausted, damaged, or unfit. The word “knacker” developed from “knack,” which could mean to become deficient or deteriorate, and was later associated with the breaking down of machinery. The modern use for “exhausted” is particularly British, and the word also came to describe objects, especially vehicles, that have broken down.
Related word forms
How knackered is actually used
This is informal and especially associated with British and Australian speech. In the sense of being extremely tired, it is often used with an intensifier; in the sense of a broken object, it may sound humorous or exaggerated.
Easily confused with knackered
In British informal use, “knacked” is often a variant of “knackered,” but “knacked” can also mean stolen or illegally obtained, depending on context.
“Nacked” usually means naked, whereas “knackered” means exhausted or, in some contexts, broken or worn out.