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

Burkhard’s organization advocates for changes to this and other policies, like a bill currently being considered at the federal level, aiming to lower the out-of-pocket cost of perinatal care for mothers. — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 23 Aug. 2026

Property owners who replaced their private-side lead and galvanized service lines out-of-pocket prior to the start of the village’s program may now be eligible for a $750 cash rebate or $1,250 credit on their utility bill. — Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 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