ne'er-do-well

[ nair-doo-wel ]

noun

1. an idle, worthless person; a person who is ineffectual, unsuccessful, or completely lacking in merit; good-for-nothing.

   Synonyms: wastrel, loafer, idler

adjective

1. worthless; ineffectual; good-for-nothing.

ne'er-do-well

noun

1. an improvident, irresponsible, or lazy person

adjective

1. useless; worthless

   your ne'er-do-well schemes

Word History and Origins

Origin of ne'er-do-well¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Example Sentences

To be sure, the neer-do-well is very lively, very pushing, very enterprising in a tte--tte!

From Project Gutenberg

Bill Berry was a town neer-do-well, who more than once had aided Noddy in his schemes to make trouble for the motor boys.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, the genuine criminal and also the drunken neer-do-well left no children.

From Project Gutenberg

If you dont count yourself of any importance, other people are mighty apt to pass you by as a neer-do-well.

From Project Gutenberg

A gambler probably; a neer-do-well certainly; and one to break his mothers heart in the end.

From Project Gutenberg