neer-do-well
duˌwɛl noun
1.
an idle, worthless person; a person who is ineffectual, unsuccessful, or completely lacking in merit; good-for-nothing.
adjective
2.
worthless; ineffectual; good-for-nothing.
Origin:
1730–40
1730–40
Synonyms
1. idler, loafer, wastrel.
1. idler, loafer, wastrel.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To neer-do-well
Collins
World English Dictionary
| ne'er-do-well | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an improvident, irresponsible, or lazy person |
| —adj | |
| 2. | useless; worthless: your ne'er-do-well schemes |
00:10
Neer-do-well
is always a great word to know.
So is callithumpian. Does it mean:
| a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes. |
| an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance. |
| ne'er-do-well | |
| —n | |
| 1. | an improvident, irresponsible, or lazy person |
| —adj | |
| 2. | useless; worthless: your ne'er-do-well schemes |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
ne'er-do-well
"one who is good for nothing," 1737, Scot. and northern Eng. dialect, from contraction of phrase never do well. The adj. is first recorded 1773.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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