lousier; lousiest
Synonyms of lousynext
1
: infested (see infest sense 2) with lice
The ragged, lousy tribesmen …T. E. Lawrence
2
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
lousily adverb
lousiness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The smallest planetary science missions, with budgets of less than $100 million, have a lousy track record. Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 19 May 2026 That’s a good thing because Mitchell was lousy offensively for most of the night, and the Cavs won anyway. Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 14 May 2026 But what are the odds that, by standing there and taking one for the team, Gary turned what would have been a lousy tee shot into one that at least found the green? Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 Hicks should take advantage of his matchup against Littell and Washington’s lousy bullpen and make good on his home run prop by ripping a homer today. Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 9 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lousy

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lousy was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lousy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lousy. Accessed 21 May. 2026.

Kids 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
lousiness noun

Medical Definition

lousy

adjective
lousier; lousiest
: infested with lice

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