knackered

/ˈnækəd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈnækərd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈna-kərd/ (ame, mw)

knackered — adjective

  • knackeredpositive
  • more knackeredcomparative
  • most knackeredsuperlative

1. feeling so worn out that you can barely move or think straight, usually after lo

1.形容詞C1
釋義

feeling so worn out that you can barely move or think straight, usually after long physical effort or a draining day.

例句

After running the London Marathon, Christopher was absolutely knackered by the finish line.

intensifier: absolutely knackered

Tanvi came home knackered from her twelve-hour shift at the hospital.

predicative: be / come home knackered

同義詞
  • exhausted

    neutral register; safe in formal writing.

  • shattered

    British informal; same intensity as knackered.

  • wiped out

    informal; American leaning; predicative only.

反義詞

文法句型

be + knackered

absolutely / completely / totally + knackered

用法筆記

Predicative only — say 'I'm knackered', not 'a knackered worker'. Common with intensifiers 'absolutely / completely / totally'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense always describes a living person or animal, never an object.

常見錯誤

a knackered runner crossed the line.
The runner crossed the line knackered.
💡use it after 'be' or as a separate clause, not before a noun.
I am very knackered.
I am absolutely knackered.
💡pair with 'absolutely / completely / totally', not 'very'.

2. of a machine or object, so worn out from use that it no longer works properly an

2.形容詞C1
釋義

of a machine or object, so worn out from use that it no longer works properly and should be replaced or thrown away.

例句

The washing machine is completely knackered — the drum stopped spinning halfway through the cycle.

subject is a machine; predicative

Dario's old van was knackered, so he sold it for scrap last weekend.

同義詞
  • broken

    neutral; works for any object.

  • kaput

    informal; usually for machines that have stopped working.

  • worn out

    neutral; emphasises long use.

反義詞

文法句型

be + knackered

the + noun + is/are + knackered

用法筆記

Subject must be an inanimate object, usually mechanical or made for repeated use (machines, vehicles, shoes, tools). Distinguish from sense 1 (people): you cannot say 'the kettle is knackered' to mean tired.

常見錯誤

My phone is knackered because the screen colour looks old.
My phone is knackered
💡it won't turn on anymore.' — use it when the object stops working, not for cosmetic issues.