British English Slang – Skint.
Meaning – (adjective) To have no money.
The word skint is a slang term commonly used in British and Australian English to describe a situation where someone has little or no money. It’s an informal way of saying that someone is broke, or that they have no money to spare.
This expression can be used to describe both short-term and long-term financial difficulties. For example, someone might say that they’re skint because they spent too much money over the weekend and have nothing left in their bank account until their next payday. Alternatively, someone might say that they’re skint because they’re living on a low income or struggling to find work.
The term “skint” is believed to have originated in the early 20th century as a shortened form of the phrase “skinned”, which was used to describe someone who had been stripped of their money or assets. Over time, the term “skint” evolved to become a more general term for being short of money.
In addition to its use in British and Australian English, this term has also been adopted in some other English-speaking countries, such as New Zealand and South Africa. It’s a common slang term in informal conversations, and is often used humorously to describe a situation where someone has spent all their money and can’t afford to do anything fun or enjoyable.
If you are skint you should avoid visiting a loan shark (idiom) as you may end up feeling blue (idiom)!
Other terms for having very little money include:
- broke
- bust
- flat broke
- hard-up
- out of pocket
- penniless
- stone-broke
- strapped for cash
Example:
- “I’d love to come to the cinema with you guys tonight but I can’t because I’m totally skint.”
In the News
Spotted in the newsSnooker star says 90% of players on tour are skint as chiefs hit back at prize money claimmirror.co.ukListen:
What is slang?
Slang is very informal language. It’s usually spoken rather than written, and is often used by a particular group of people or in a particular place. Slang changes over time, and using it well is a great way to sound more natural when speaking English.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mainly British and Australian English, though it’s also understood in New Zealand and South Africa.
No — it’s informal but not rude, and often used humorously about yourself.
They mean the same thing — “skint” is more distinctly British/Australian slang, while “broke” is used more widely across English-speaking countries.
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