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

The front of the house is all glass—a lousy place to throw stones. — Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2026

But maintenance fees, restrictions, availability, and a notoriously lousy resale market can turn the cost of access into a headache. — Bydoug Ashburn, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Sep. 2026

His Hall of Fame status no doubt took a hit after lousy stints with the Jets and Steelers following his tremendous run in Green Bay. — Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 23 Aug. 2026

That have to do with overregulation and a lousy business climate? — Katherine Gregg, The Providence Journal, 13 Aug. 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