lousier; lousiest
1
: infested (see infest sense 2) with lice
The ragged, lousy tribesmen …—
T. E. Lawrence
T. E. Lawrence2
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
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 National Park Service, keeper of Independence Hall, has long tried to draw attention to the lousy condition of the buildings here.
—
Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The screwworm fly is a lousy long-distance traveler.
—
Ciara McCarthy. Produced With Ai Assistance,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 June 2026
However, if your command of the Spanish language is less than lousy or if reading this has inspired you to take your first step inside the Compare Foods Supermarket on Milton Road, here’s the trifecta of non-negotiable dishes to eat.
—
Andre James,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2026
Indeed, Sta Rita Hills is one of my personal favorite regions for pinot and chardonnay and the estate is rife with challenges—lousy soil, wind, and the chilling influence of the Pacific Ocean.
—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lousy
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Christopher Hooks,
Harpers Magazine,
23 June 2026
The screwworm fly is a lousy long-distance traveler.
—
Ciara McCarthy. Produced With Ai Assistance,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 June 2026
However, if your command of the Spanish language is less than lousy or if reading this has inspired you to take your first step inside the Compare Foods Supermarket on Milton Road, here’s the trifecta of non-negotiable dishes to eat.
—
Andre James,
Charlotte Observer,
22 June 2026
Indeed, Sta Rita Hills is one of my personal favorite regions for pinot and chardonnay and the estate is rife with challenges—lousy soil, wind, and the chilling influence of the Pacific Ocean.
—
Katie Kelly Bell,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for lousy
Cite this Entry
“Lousy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lousy. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lousy
adjective
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
Medical Definition
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