What does lowlife mean?
A lowlife is a person regarded as dishonest, criminal, or thoroughly disreputable. The term is informal and carries a strongly negative, often contemptuous tone: it describes not merely someone who is poor or unpopular, but someone presented as morally unreliable or engaged in scandalous behavior. In fiction, a character described as a lowlife may still be shown developing a conscience or escaping the life supposedly associated with them. The word is commonly used attributively, as in “a local lowlife” or “a convicted lowlife,” and as an adjective before a noun. Because it is derogatory, it is most appropriate when the speaker has good grounds for the characterization. Although the expression occurs in both British and American English, it is especially associated with informal American usage.
A person regarded as criminal, dishonest, or thoroughly disreputable.
"The neighborhood lowlife was arrested the following morning."
Informal and strongly disparaging; normally reserved for someone whose dishonest or criminal character is already established.
Criminal, dishonest, or thoroughly disreputable.
"He had a talent for lowlife schemes that rarely worked."
Chiefly informal and derogatory, especially when it describes a person's character or activities.
Used when referring to more than one person; the plural is written as one word.
"The novel portrays two lowlives who become unlikely partners."
A lowlife is not merely unlucky: the word paints a character as ethically “low” and socially disreputable.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does lowlife come from?
The compound lowlife dates from the late 19th century. It combines low with life and was originally used in a social sense before becoming associated particularly with notorious or criminal people. The element life continues to appear in many English words, including lifetime, lifelong, and lifestyle.
How lowlife is actually used
The noun is informal and strongly disparaging; it should generally be used for people whose criminality or disreputable conduct is already established. The attributive adjective is also chiefly informal and can be offensive when applied to a person.