The word "lousy" is spelled with four letters and is pronounced as /ˈlaʊzi/. The IPA phonetic transcription clarifies that the vowel sound in the word is "ow" (as in "cow"), followed by the "z" sound and an "ee" sound. The word originates from the Middle English word "lousi," meaning "infested with lice." This negative connotation has carried over to its current meaning, which typically refers to something of poor quality or subpar. Spelling "lousy" correctly is important for clear communication in writing.
"Lousy" is an adjective that is commonly used to describe something or someone as extremely poor in quality or unsatisfactory in nature. When something is described as lousy, it suggests that it is regarded as very bad, substandard, or highly disappointing.
In reference to objects or situations, "lousy" indicates an inferior state, often associated with being dirty, damaged, or malfunctioning. For instance, if a person describes a hotel as lousy, they are indicating that the hotel is of low quality, with unsatisfactory amenities or services. Similarly, if someone complains about a lousy meal, it means that the food was unappetizing or of poor taste and quality.
Regarding individuals, "lousy" can be used to describe a person's behavior, character, or skills as highly unfavorable or inept. Someone might be referred to as a lousy employee if they consistently perform poorly in their job or exhibit careless behavior. Additionally, the term can also be used to express contempt or annoyance towards someone's actions or decisions.
Overall, "lousy" conveys a strong sense of displeasure, disappointment, or contempt towards something or someone. It is a versatile adjective that can be applied to a wide range of contexts to denote extreme dissatisfaction, substandard quality, or poor performance.
Infested with lice; very mean; contemptible.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "lousy" is derived from the Old English word "lūs", which originally meant "a small, wingless insect parasitic on humans and other mammals". The term "lousy" dates back to at least the 14th century in English and was commonly used to describe infestations of lice. Over time, the meaning of "lousy" expanded beyond its literal association with lice to express a more figurative sense of something being of poor quality or extremely unpleasant.