Is 'kaput' English, or is it actually German?

'Kaput' is a word borrowed from German 'kaput'. The word entered the English language some time around 1895.

kaput [adjective] [1895]

• utterly finished, defeated, or destroyed
• unable to function
• hopelessly outmoded

See 'kaput' on the Loan Words Map

See more loan words from German.

Etymology: German 'kaputt' from French 'capot' not having made a trick at piquet

See more loan words from 1800s.