noun
lowlife
LOH-lyf
noun
1
A dishonest, disreputable person, especially one thought to have criminal habits.
"The bar was full of gamblers, con artists, and other lowlifes."
"She warned her daughter to stay away from that lowlife boyfriend."
adj
1
Disreputable or morally low; typical of such a person.
"He got mixed up in some lowlife schemes after losing his job."
How to Use Lowlife
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA scummy, untrustworthy person — often used as an insult for someone seen as a petty criminal or lowlife.
When to use it
Informal and insulting — not used in polite or formal writing.
Common pairings
a bunch of lowlifes
lowlife criminal
a real lowlife
Word Forms
more lowlife comparative, lowlifes plural, lowlives plural, most lowlife superlative
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The bar was full of gamblers, con artists, and other _____.
Etymology
Simply "low" plus "life" — someone living on the low, disreputable end of society.