Sekirov Dictionary

ne'er-do-well

UK /ˈnɛə.duˌwɛl/US /ˈnɛɹ.duˌwɛl/

noun 2
adjective 1
forms 3

noun2

•
A person without a means of support; an idle, worthless person; a loafer; a person who is ineffectual, unsuccessful, or completely lacking in merit; a good-for-nothing.
- So they have trooped forth to organize village down-and-outs and ne'er-do-wells into would-be combat units. — 1933
A person who is up to no good; a rogue.

adjective1

•
Showing the characteristics of a ne'er-do-well: indolent, worthless, or roguish.
- Think of the scorn with which Nicholas Nicklebys Madame Mantalini treats her ne'er-do-well' husband from whom she insists "on being separated and left to myself...." — 2013

forms

ne'er-do-wells · more ne'er-do-well · most ne'er-do-well

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