out-of-pocket

1 of 2

adjective

out-of-pock·​et ˌau̇t-ə(v)-ˈpä-kət 

: requiring an outlay of cash

out-of-pocket expenses

out of pocket

2 of 2

adverb

1

: from cash on hand : with one's own money rather than with money from another source (such as an insurance company)

With so many people willing to pay out of pocket most insurance companies do not pay for the procedure, because they regard it as "cosmetic" …

—Kenneth Chang

2

chiefly British

a

: in the position of having lost money

On Oct. 7, the government suddenly pulled the plug on Railtrack PLC, the privatized owner of Britain's railway infrastructure, leaving the company's 250,000 shareholders out of pocket.

—Kerry Capell

b

: out of funds : without money

My wife and I are already consumers of Straus's organic yogurt, butter, cream and ice cream, although I admit when I am feeling out of pocket I opt for a slightly cheaper competitor.

—Larry Gallagher

Examples of out-of-pocket in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Every American, regardless of their insurance status, should have equitable access to all recommended vaccines with no out-of-pocket costs. —Phyllis Arthur, STAT, 13 May 2024

One worker showed the Free Press his insurance card, which listed the deductible as $1,300 per year, per family with an out-of-pocket maximum of $18,200. —Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 11 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1885, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Legal Definition

out-of-pocket

adjective

: requiring an outlay of cash

out-of-pocket expenses