ne'er-do-well
/'neədu:,wel/
Definition
Noun: * An idle, worthless, or irresponsible person; someone who is lazy and fails to do anything useful or productive with their life.
Usage
- The word "ne'er-do-well" is a somewhat old-fashioned or literary term, often used to express disapproval or criticism of someone's character and lack of ambition. It is typically used as a countable noun.
- It can describe someone who avoids work, is financially irresponsible, or is generally seen as a failure by societal standards.
Examples
- The family was constantly bailing out their ne'er-do-well son, who couldn't hold down a job.
- In the old novel, the charming but penniless ne'er-do-well tried to marry the heiress for her fortune.
- He was dismissed by the town as a lazy ne'er-do-well who spent his days at the pub.
Advanced Usage
- The term can sometimes carry a connotation of charm or roguishness, especially in historical or literary contexts, but the core meaning remains negative—a person who does no good ("ne'er-do-well" is a contraction of "never-do-well").
Variants and Related Words
- Good-for-nothing (noun/adjective): A very close synonym with identical meaning.
- Wastrel (noun): A person who wastes time or resources; an idler.
- Layabout (noun, chiefly British): A person who does little or no work.
- Deadbeat (noun, informal): Specifically refers to someone who avoids paying debts or shirks responsibilities.
Synonyms
- Idler
- Loafer
- Wastrel
- Good-for-nothing
- Layabout
- Deadbeat
- Waster
Antonyms
- Go-getter
- Achiever
- Hard worker
- Paragon
Noun
-
an idle worthless person
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