lousy

[ lou-zee ]

adjective

, lous·i·er, lous·i·est.

1. infested with lice.
2. Informal.
   1. mean or contemptible:

      That was a lousy thing to do.

   2. wretchedly bad; miserable:

      a lousy job; I feel lousy.

lousy

/ ˈlaʊzɪ /

adjective

1. slang.
   very mean or unpleasant

   a lousy thing to do

2. slang.
   inferior or bad

   this is a lousy film

3. infested with lice
4. slang.
   foll by with
   1. provided with an excessive amount (of)

      he's lousy with money

   2. full of or teeming with

Derived Forms

• ˈlousiness, noun
• ˈlousily, adverb

Other Words From

• lousi·ly adverb
• lousi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of lousy¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, lousy is from the Middle English word lousi. See louse, -y ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. lousy with, Slang. well supplied with or filled with, often to excess:

   Our city is lousy with bad drivers.

   I wish I were lousy with money like my boss.

Example Sentences

For now, let’s celebrate the end of the most vexing, mean-spirited and household-dividing presidential election in modern times, as it heaves itself across the finish line and crumples in a lousy heap.

From Los Angeles Times

We’re slowly inducted into Ani’s world, watching as she spends the night grinding for tips, schmoozing big spenders, and cutting up with her fellow dancers about the lousy playlists the DJ is cranking.

From Salon

They have been described by resident Stan Tobin as doughy - "like someone had tried to bake bread and done a lousy job" - with an odour reminiscent of vegetable oil.

From BBC

You can be a good driver at 88 and a lousy one at 68.

From Los Angeles Times

He returned to the theme during last month’s debate: “Obamacare was lousy healthcare,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• awful
• horrible
• miserable
• poor
• rotten
• second-rate
• shoddy
• terrible