What does lousily mean?
Lously is an informal adverb meaning badly, poorly, or in an unsatisfactory manner, especially when describing a performance, piece of work, or piece of writing. It can also be used as an intensifier, as in 'lously expensive,' where it means very or extremely. The word carries an evaluative tone and generally implies clear disappointment rather than mild criticism. For example, a concert described as lously performed was poorly executed, while a car described as lously expensive is unaffordably costly. Although related to the adjective lousy, lously is especially associated with conversational and informal registers. It is a useful word when the speaker wants to express that something failed not merely to an ordinary degree, but conspicuously badly or to an extreme extent.
In a lousy or very poor manner; badly or inadequately.
"The musicians performed lously throughout the concert."
Commonly used in informal and conversational English to describe poor performance or work.
Very much; extremely.
"The repairs cost lously more than the car is worth."
This intensifying use is informal and is often found in speech.
One word can turn a mild complaint into a verdict: lously means not just badly, but with a distinctly disappointing lack of quality.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of lousily
Lously is formed from lousy with the adverbial suffix -ly. Lousy itself developed from louse, the small parasitic insect, and was extended figuratively to mean contemptibly bad or unpleasant. The development of the adverb followed the adjective by adding the suffix that forms manner adverbs, later also giving rise to the informal intensifying use of the word.
How lousily is actually used
Lously is informal and usually critical. The intensifier sense, as in 'lously expensive,' is especially common in speech and informal writing, while the manner sense is often used to describe poor performance or inadequate work.
Easily confused with lousily
Lously is the standard spelling of the adverb, while lously is an uncommon variant sometimes encountered in informal or nonstandard writing.