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 of lousy

• lame
• pitiful
• cheap
• wretched
• dirty
• nasty
• mean
• disgusting
• hateful

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

But August is a lousy month for northerns and — in the border lakes — for big walleyes. — Hank Bradshaw, Outdoor Life, 24 June 2026

The screwworm fly is a lousy long-distance traveler. — Ciara McCarthy. Produced With Ai Assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026

Will there be rioting in the streets once audiences get some idea of how lousy Supergirl is? — Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 26 June 2026

But there is no discount price available on Johnson based on his lousy 2025-26 season. — Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lousy

• feel lousy
• lousy with

Rhymes for lousy

• drowsy

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