Quick answer
Skint means having no money; broke. It is usually pronounced SKINT, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Skint
Skint describes someone or something that is having no money; broke. It belongs to regional and dialect oddities and works best in playful writing, lively dialogue, and moments when plain wording feels too flat. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
regionaldialectbritish-english
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
If something is skint, it is having no money; broke. The word usually adds a stronger tone than a simpler adjective, which is why it suits vivid writing so well.
Why this word feels absurd
Skint feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Origin and history
Skint is generally traced to british slang. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Skint is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- I’d come out tonight, but I’m completely skint.
- Students are often skint by the end of the month.
- The joke only lands if the character is permanently skint.
- Travel on a skint budget requires creativity.
When should you use this word?
Use skint when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
Similar words
Broke, Penniless, Hard up, Cash-strapped
Opposite or contrasting words
Wealthy, Flush, Well-off, Solvent
Common questions
- What does skint mean? Having no money; broke.
- How do you pronounce skint? It is commonly pronounced SKINT.
- Is skint still used today? Skint is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use skint? Use skint when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in playful writing, dialogue, and places where tone matters.
- What words are similar to skint? Similar words include Broke, Penniless, Hard up, and Cash-strapped.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.