lousy

adjective

ˈlau̇-zē 

lousier; lousiest

1

: infested (see infest sense 2) with lice

the ragged, lousy tribesmen

—T. E. Lawrence

2

a

: totally repulsive (see repulsive sense 3) : contemptible

a lousy way of getting even

b

: miserably poor or inferior

got lousy grades

c

: somewhat ill

felt lousy after dinner

d

: amply supplied : replete

lousy with money

3

of silk : fuzzy and specked because of splitting of the fiber

lousily

ˈlau̇-zə-lē 

adverb

lousiness

ˈlau̇-zē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• cheap
• contemptible
• cruddy
• deplorable
• despicable
• dirty
• grubby
• lame
• mean
• nasty
• paltry
• pitiable
• pitiful
• ratty
• scabby
• scummy
• scurvy
• sneaking
• sorry
• wretched

Examples of lousy in a Sentence

She got lousy grades in high school.

I like the work, but the pay is lousy.

He was a lousy husband.

They did a lousy job.

He drank too much and felt lousy the next morning.

It's a lousy, rainy day.

That's a lousy way to treat a friend.

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, if the scenes sampled here sound lousy, why not imply that this movie was the first to be written and directed entirely by artificial intelligence? —Peter Debruge, Variety, 14 May 2024

But this much does look clear, sadly: A 3-1 series deficit with this much lousy mojo in your suitcase is no way to head back to Texas. —Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 13 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lousy

• feel lousy
• lousy with

Kids Definition

lousy

adjective

ˈlau̇-zē 

lousier; lousiest

1

: infested with lice

2

a

: totally disgusting : contemptible

b

: of very poor quality

got lousy grades

c

: somewhat ill

felt lousy after dinner

d

: well supplied

lousy with money

lousiness

-zē-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

lousy

adjective

ˈlau̇-zē 

lousier; lousiest

: infested with lice