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

Many health insurance plans in Nigeria do not include comprehensive cancer care, forcing many families to pay for their care out-of-pocket. — Durrie Bouscaren, NPR, 25 July 2026

But if your personal policy has a deductible above $1,000, rental car insurance with zero deductible protects you from large out-of-pocket expenses. — Terry Savage, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2026

Adverb

Biden will also propose benefit changes that includes limiting to $2 how much a Medicare recipient must pay out of pocket for certain generic drugs. — Taylor Wilson, USA TODAY, 9 Mar. 2023

When the coupon expires, she and other patients will be forced to pay out of pocket. — ABC News, 23 Feb. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1885, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1679, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for out-of-pocket

• docket
• locket
• pocket
• rocket
• socket
• sprocket
• pickpocket
• skyrocket

Legal Definition

out-of-pocket

adjective

: requiring an outlay of cash

out-of-pocket expenses