louse
7 synonyms for louse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A tiny wingless insect that lives as a parasite on the skin or hair of animals and people.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
dirt ball
bird louse
plant louse
biting louse
sucking louse
How to use louse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
head lice
louse up
a real louse
Etymology
From Old English lus, an ancient Germanic word for the insect, going back to Proto-Indo-European roots shared across many European languages.
Full origin of louse →Frequently asked questions
What does “louse” mean?
The word “louse” means a tiny wingless insect that lives as a parasite on the skin or hair of animals and people. In plain terms, either the parasitic insect (plural "lice") or, informally, a nasty person.
How do you pronounce “louse”?
“Louse” is pronounced lows (/laʊs/ in IPA).
How do you use “louse” in a sentence?
Here is “louse” used in a sentence: “He called his ex-business partner a lying louse.”
What part of speech is “louse”?
Depending on how it is used, “louse” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “louse” come from?
The word “louse” comes from Old English. From Old English lus, an ancient Germanic word for the insect, going back to Proto-Indo-European roots shared across many European languages.
How many meanings does “louse” have?
“Louse” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tiny wingless insect that lives as a parasite on the skin or hair of animals and people.
