Search Dictionary
Definition of lousy

lousy

/ˈlaʊ.zi/
lou · sy
Adverb:lousily
JUMP TO:

lousy Lexical Profile

lousy Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

(informal) Very poor, bad, or inferior in quality, skill, or condition.

Example

"The restaurant had great ambiance, but the service was lousy."

2

(informal) Feeling unwell, miserable, or guilty.

Example

"She stayed home from work because she was feeling lousy with a cold."

3

(informal, used with "with") Abundantly supplied or teeming with something.

Example

"The old neighborhood used to be lousy with independent bookstores and cafes."

4

Infested with lice.

Example

"The stray dog was malnourished and lousy when the shelter rescued it."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for lousy
Antonyms
View all antonyms for lousy

• Rhymes for lousy

• Nearby Words

louse
lousily
lousiness
lousy
lout
loutish
louver

Word Origin & Etymology

Dating back to the 14th century, the word is formed from the noun "louse" and the suffix "-y", originally meaning literally infested with lice before evolving into a general term of contempt and poor quality.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lousy. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lousy
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.