london.localmean.com/knackered
knackered
NAK-uhd · /ˈnæk.əd/
Local meaning
Extremely tired; also broken, worn out, or too old to use.
In everyday British English, a person who is “knackered” is exhausted. The same adjective can describe a machine, bike, phone, or other object that is broken or worn out. The noun being described makes the meaning clear: “I’m knackered” concerns energy, while “the laptop is knackered” concerns condition.
Examples in context
- I’m absolutely knackered after that shift.
- The lift is knackered again, so we used the stairs.
- By the time we got home, everyone was knackered.
How it is used
It is emphatic and informal. With people it normally means very tired; with objects it means damaged, broken, or no longer useful.
Exhausted, frustrated, humorous, or matter-of-fact.
Work, travel, exercise, late nights, broken equipment, and worn-out belongings.
Informal British conversation.
The word is too informal for many professional reports, and some speakers consider its history or sound mildly coarse.
Spelling and scope
Established UK slang heard throughout London and Britain; broader than London youth speech and not uniquely MLE.
- Search forms
knackered out
Common search forms stay discoverable without claiming that every London community uses one spelling.
Common patterns
- absolutely knackered
- too knackered to
- completely knackered
- the thing is knackered
Read next
All words →Evidence and further reading
Sources support the definition, history, or usage layer. Local review remains welcome.
- knackered — English meaningCambridge Dictionary
Documents both major UK slang senses: extremely tired and broken or too old to use.