lousy

adjective

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\ ˈlau̇-zē

lousier; lousiest

Definition of lousy

1 : infested (see infest sense 2) with lice the ragged, lousy tribesmen— T. E. Lawrence

2a : 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

Other Words from lousy Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing lousy Learn More About lousy

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web Even the wisest financial pros are lousy at timing the market. — Larry Light, Fortune, 11 May 2022 During this same 16-year period, interest rates rose sharply, making this also a lousy time to own long-term bonds. — Michael J. Francis, Star Tribune, 24 July 2021 But the late spring of 1981 was a really lousy time to start an airline in the United States. — Dan Reed, Forbes, 17 June 2021 Research has found 70% of the difference between lousy, good, and great cultures is directly attributable to an employee’s direct manager. — Alain Hunkins, Forbes, 25 Apr. 2022 The positive is the Celtics have been lousy (4-15) at games with outcomes 5 points or fewer before Friday. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 2 Apr. 2022 Many of these Chicago books are excellent, some modestly appealing and more than a few, simply put, lousy. — Rick Kogan, chicagotribune.com, 30 Mar. 2022 Inevitably, there will be days when the athlete feels lousy and even brief periods of challenging training when everything feels hard, but the overall trend should be toward less effort at the same pace. — Matt Fitzgerald, Outside Online, 18 Nov. 2020 My timing with fads and trends has always been lousy. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lousy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.