What does lousier mean?
Lousier is the comparative form of the informal adjective lousy and means that something is worse than it was, or worse than something else. It may describe poor quality, such as a lousier product or a lousier repair, and it can also describe an unpleasant situation, performance, or treatment, as in a lousier excuse or a lousier deal. The word is especially common in informal North American English and is often more emphatic than simply saying worse. Although lousy can express strong disapproval, lousier is commonly used in comparisons rather than as an absolute term of condemnation. It is also the natural comparative when the intended comparison is between two similar objects or circumstances.
adjectiveComparative of lousy: worse in quality, condition, or degree; more annoying or unsatisfactory.
- Worse in quality, condition, or value.
- More annoying, difficult, or unsatisfactory.
"The replacement cable was lousier than the one it was supposed to improve."
"The weather turned lousier as the afternoon went on."
"That is a lousier excuse than saying the truth."
Lousier is the comparative of lousy: when things go from bad to worse, they become lousier.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lousier
Lousy developed in the 16th century from the name of the parasitic insect louse, originally referring to infested or swarming with lice. The modern figurative sense of being unpleasant or of poor quality developed from the word's association with something infested and therefore undesirable. Lousier is a later comparative form, created in the regular English pattern of adding -er to an adjective.
Related word forms
How lousier is actually used
Informal and chiefly North American; it can describe an object, situation, performance, or treatment.
Easily confused with lousier
Lousier means worse or of lower quality, whereas louder means producing more sound.