lousy
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for lousy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Very poor in quality; remarkably bad.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adj
Very poor in quality; remarkably bad.
“The service at that restaurant was lousy.”
Opposites
How to use lousy
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
lousy weather
feel lousy
a lousy job
Very common in casual speech; avoid in formal writing.
Etymology
From Middle English lousy, literally "infested with lice," which broadened over time into a general insult meaning "bad" or "worthless."
Full origin of lousy →Frequently asked questions
What does “lousy” mean?
The word “lousy” means very poor in quality; remarkably bad. In plain terms, bad, poor-quality, or (informally) feeling ill.
How do you pronounce “lousy”?
“Lousy” is pronounced LOW-zee (/ˈlaʊ.zi/ in IPA).
How do you use “lousy” in a sentence?
Here is “lousy” used in a sentence: “The service at that restaurant was lousy.”
What part of speech is “lousy”?
“Lousy” is an adjective.
Where does the word “lousy” come from?
The word “lousy” comes from Middle English. From Middle English lousy, literally "infested with lice," which broadened over time into a general insult meaning "bad" or "worthless.".
Is “lousy” a common word?
“Lousy” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “lousy” have?
“Lousy” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: very poor in quality; remarkably bad.
