Phrase guide

out of pocket

adj · adv · prep_phrase · 6 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

adj

Meaning 1

Of or pertaining to the spending of cash rather than using credit.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable

Examples

  • I had lots of out-of-pocket expenses.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Shocking and unexpected or inappropriate.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: not-comparable, slang

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adv

Meaning 3

Lacking funds, or suffering a financial loss; broke.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • After three races he was £10 out of pocket.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adv

Meaning 4

Not available; unable to be reached.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adv

Meaning 5

Wild or inappropriate; unexpected.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

prep_phrase

Meaning 6

Synonym of out of one's own pocket.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • pay out of pocket for medication

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: out of one's own pocket

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Spanish: del bolsillo — out of one's own pocket
  • Spanish: de su bolsico — out of one's own pocket