losel
Definition
- Noun:
- A worthless or disreputable person: "losel" refers to an individual considered to be of no value, a scoundrel, or a good-for-nothing.
- A lazy or idle person: It can also denote someone who is habitually idle and lacks ambition or usefulness.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The old king dismissed the courtier as a losel, unfit for any important duty. (The king called the courtier a worthless person.)
- He was known in the village as a losel who never worked a day in his life. (He was seen as a lazy, useless individual.)
Advanced Usage
"to call someone a losel": to insult someone by labeling them as worthless.
- She called him a losel after he refused to help with the harvest. (She insulted him for being idle and useless.)
"a losel's life": a life of idleness or worthlessness.
- He lived a losel's life, spending his days in taverns and avoiding any labor. (He lived a lazy, unproductive existence.)
Variants and Related Words
- Loselry (n): the condition or behavior of a losel; worthlessness.
- His loselry was evident in his constant begging and refusal to work. (His worthlessness was clear.)
Synonyms
- Good-for-nothing: a person who is useless or worthless.
- Scoundrel: a dishonest or unscrupulous person.
- Idler: someone who avoids work or responsibility.
Related Idioms
"A losel's bargain" (archaic): a deal that brings no benefit or is disadvantageous.
- Signing that contract was a losel's bargain; he gained nothing and lost everything. (It was a worthless agreement.)
"To play the losel" (archaic): to act in a lazy or worthless manner.
- The young prince was warned not to play the losel while his kingdom needed strong leadership. (He was warned not to behave idly.)